Project Transformation to feature Terrell
Donna Terrell, award-winning news anchor for FOX16, will be the guest speaker for Project Transformation Arkansas’ (PT Arkansas) fundraising luncheon at noon April 7 at Lakeside United Methodist Church, 1500 S. Olive St.
The mission of PT Arkansas is to transform communities by engaging children, college-age young adults and churches in purposeful relationships, according to a news release. In the summer of 2022, PT Arkansas launched its first summer program, engaging young adults, partnering churches and volunteers to serve more than 50 children in two host churches in under-resourced neighborhoods in Pine Bluff.
The speaker, Terrell, has earned numerous honors for her work in journalism, including several Emmy Awards and a Regional Emmy as a news anchor. She has also received the National American Legion Fourth Estate Award and an Associated Press Award for her special reports on grieving the loss of a child, according to the release.
She is also the founder of Donna Terrell’s Yoga Warriors Fighting Colon Cancer, a nonprofit organization that raises funds to provide liquid nutrition for cancer patients undergoing treatment who need financial assistance. The organization was created in memory of her daughter, Queah, who passed away from colon cancer but found strength and comfort through yoga during her battle.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The luncheon is a program for PT Arkansas, which has a campus in Pine Bluff and Little Rock that provide a summer day camp experience to under-resourced elementary school students and their families.
“We provide two key services,” said the Rev. Samantha Meadors, executive director of PT Arkansas. “First is leadership development and ministry exploration opportunities for college-age young adults through summer and one-year service internships. The second is community-oriented after-school and summer day camp programming for children and youth.
“Our programs focus on enriching the body, mind and spirit, but we place a unique emphasis on literacy and social-emotional learning. During the summer, each child is paired daily with a volunteer to read one-to-one. Programs are strategically housed in churches in the heart of communities that are under-resourced,” Meadors said.
Tables at the luncheon are $1,000 for eight people. For details on sponsoring or attending the Pine Bluff or Little Rock luncheons, contact the Rev. Samantha Meadors at SMeadors@PTArkansas.org or (501) 650-0565, or KD Reep, director of development, at Kelli@FlywriteCommunications.com or (501) 766-1260. Details available on the Projection Transformation Arkansas website.
Election Commission calls for Friday meeting
The Jefferson County Election Commission will meet at 6 p.m. Friday at the commission office, 123 S. Main St.
According to the agenda, the commission will approve ballot proofs for the March 31 preferential primary runoff election, and discuss any situations during the primary election and formulate possible solutions, including parking and unauthorized persons. Any other business that comes before the commission will be heard.
The commission announced two or more of its members may attend the court hearing involving Mark Cannon’s lawsuit against Jefferson County Sheriff Lafayette Woods Jr. at 1o:30 a.m. Friday, which may constitute a meeting.
Pilgrim church to give away food
Raven’s Nest Food Pantry at Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, 2507 Hill St., will be open March 14 from 8-9:30 a.m. or until all the food has been given away. Food will be given away on a first come, first-served basis. Participants must bring a picture identification. This pantry is a U.S. Department of Agriculture distribution site and equal opportunity provider.
UAM to host summer band camps
The University of Arkansas at Monticello Division of Music will host its “Summer Music Camps @UAM” in June and July for rising sixth through 12th graders. Students may attend one camp per session, with the option to stay on or off campus.
Session I will take place June 9-13 and include camps structured to strengthen students’ performance skills on a variety of instruments and boost their confidence: “Beginner,” for rising sixth-graders, “Junior High,” for rising seventh and eighth graders, and “Senior High,” for rising ninth through 12th graders.
All Session I students will participate in an informal, low-pressure audition on the first day, which will help the faculty determine their needs and placement within the concert band. They will also rehearse in a full concert setting twice per day.
Session II, which will take place July 7-11, is for rising ninth through 12th graders only. Students can participate in Jazz Band, Drum Major and Marching Band Leadership, Colorguard or Marching Drumline. Jazz Band campers will focus on improvisation, theory, ear training, history and technique. Drum Major and Marching Band Leadership campers will receive extensive instruction in leadership development, score study, rehearsal techniques and conducting fundamentals from former and current drum majors of the UAM “Pride of Southeast Arkansas” Marching Band.
In the Colorguard program, campers will receive specific instruction in rifle, flag, saber and dance choreography. Campers who attend UAM’s new Marching Drumline will receive instruction in marching fundamentals and ensemble playing.
All Session II camps will culminate in a final performance. Students attending the Colorguard and Marching Drumline camps will be required to provide their own equipment.
Registration is now open. Visit the UAM website to complete a camp application or view additional information. Details: UAM Division of Music at bandcamp@uamont.edu or (870) 460-1060.
City sets Women’s History event
The city of Pine Bluff will host the 4th Annual Hidden Figures of Pine Bluff: Women’s History Month Celebration March 28 at 6 p.m. at the Pine Bluff Convention Center.
This event honors the unsung women whose leadership, service and dedication have made a lasting impact on Pine Bluff, according to a news release.
Women across several sectors will be honored including arts, business, education, finance/banking, healthcare, manufacturing, nonprofit, professional services, public service, and Up and Rising, highlighting established leaders and emerging changemakers.
“Women have played an essential role in shaping the strength and progress of Pine Bluff,” Mayor Vivian Flowers said. “This celebration allows us to recognize the women who quietly lead, serve, and uplift our community every day.”
Community members are encouraged to nominate deserving women. Nominations are open and can be submitted online. The deadline is noon March 10. Submit nominations at: tinyurl.com/HiddenFiguresPB. Details: Mar’Tavius Proctor at (870) 730-2004 or mproctor@cityofpinebluff-ar.gov.