Simmons to release earnings report
Simmons First National Corp. on Tuesday announced it is scheduled to release fourth quarter 2025 earnings after the market closing on Jan. 20, 2026. Management will conduct a live conference call to review this information beginning at 7:30 a.m. Jan. 21. Interested parties can listen to the call by dialing toll-free (844) 481-2779 and asking for the Simmons First National Corp. conference call, conference ID 10205234. In addition, the call will be available live or in recorded version at simmonsbank.com under the “Investor Relations” tab. The recorded version will be available for at least 60 days following the date of the call, according to a news release.
Drew County NAACP sets MLK event
The NAACP Drew County Branch will conduct its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration featuring a summit and community service activities designed to honor King’s legacy through action and education, according to a news release.
CELEBRATION KICKOFF JAN. 10
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The celebration will kick off with “A Day of Service” community cleanups. Volunteers are asked to gather Jan. 10 at 8:30 a.m. and the cleanup will begin at 9 a.m. at Jordan Park. Lunch will be provided at 10:30 a.m. To volunteer for the community cleanup, contact Clarissa Pace at (870) 723-9820.
MLK YOUTH EXPLOSION JAN. 18
The MLK Youth Explosion will take place at 3 p.m. Jan. 18 at Revival Center Church in Monticello. This event will showcase the gifts and talents of the community’s youth. Youth interested in participating should contact Angelia Anderson at (870) 723-4718 or Bettina Randolph at (870) 460-5191.
MLK SUMMIT JAN. 19
The centerpiece of the commemoration will be a summit from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Sadie Johnson Building in Monticello. The summit brings together community leaders, educators, and advocates to inspire meaningful dialogue and positive change under the theme “Engaged, Empowered and Informed,” according to a news release.
The keynote speaker will be state Rep. Glenn Barnes of Pine Bluff. He serves as moderator of the Central District Baptist Association and works part-time with the Sixth Division Juvenile Court, where he impacts the lives of young people in the justice system. For the past 17 years, Barnes has served as pastor of Pine Hill Missionary Baptist Church.
Barnes earned his Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in 1999, followed by a Bachelor of Science degree in theology and master’s degree in theology from the Missionary Baptist Seminary in Little Rock. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree at Truett Seminary, Baylor University. He and his wife, LaDawn Willis Barnes, are the parents of eight children.
Also during the summit, events will include:
Mental Health Awareness – Dr. Felicia Brown of Ashley County Medical Center Hamburg Clinic will lead discussions on mental health resources and wellness.
Civil Rights Education – Debrah Mitchell, past president of the Arkansas Black Caucus, will provide insights on civil rights advocacy and community engagement.
Entertainment — Gospel Recording Artist Keenon Coleman will sing throughout the day.
Community Giveaway — A community giveaway will be held, sponsored by Angels Serving With a Purpose of Houston, Texas.
Education — The NAACP Drew County Branch Education Committee will host special activities in Drew Central and Monticello school districts.
“I am really excited to try something different to honor the legacy and King Movement in Drew County,” said Clarissa Pace, president of the NAACP Drew County Branch. “I encourage community involvement from the entire community. It’s not a Black people observation. It is an American observation. Our nation would not have been a better nation without the sacrifice of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”
The public is invited to attend. Details: Clarissa Pace, president, NAACP Drew County Branch, (870) 723-9820 or naacp6042@gmail.com.