Black Caucus awards include judge
The Arkansas Democratic Black Caucus will recognize nine recipients for their outstanding contributions to their communities.
They will be honored during the annual King Kennedy Awards Feb. 15 at the Venue at Westwind in North Little Rock beginning with a pre-awards reception at 5:30 p.m. and a dinner and program at 6:30 p.m.
The Dr. Jerry Jewel Government Leadership Award will be presented to Arkansas Court of Appeals Judge Waymond Brown of Pine Bluff. He is the longest serving African American appellate judge in the state, now serving his third term, according to StuffinTheBluff.com.
This award is given to an individual or organization who has provided leadership in the political and legislative arena for people of color and people of poverty, according to the news release.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Brown is the first African American to be elected to the second highest court in the state, the Arkansas Court of Appeals in 2008.
Other honorees include:
Irma Hunter Brown Women’s Leadership Award — Jill Floyd, Arkansas state director, USDA Rural Development, Little Rock;
Thomas E. Patterson Educational Award — Claudine James, National Board-Certified teacher and social media content creator, Malvern;
Annie McDaniel Abrams Community Service Award — Alpha Gamma Theta Omega Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., North Pulaski County;
Calvin King Economic Development Award — Cory Anderson, chief innovation officer, Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, Little Rock.
This year’s President’s Award honorees are recognized for helping to advance the Black Caucus objectives. They include:
Faith Seahorn, owner, FS Event Services LLC, Bryant;
Zach Bledsoe, chair, Democratic Party of Clark County, Arkadelphia;
Barry Jefferson, president, Arkansas State Conference of the NAACP.
The Lifetime Achievement Award honoree is Lottie Shackelford, chair, Democratic National Committee Women’s Caucus, Little Rock. This award honors an individual who has dedicated their life to advancing human and civil rights, advocating for equitable treatment, and promoting justice in underserved communities.
A scholarship will also be awarded to a deserving student who is committed to public service and attends one of the four Arkansas Historically Black Colleges and Universities: Arkansas Baptist College, Philander Smith College, Shorter College and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
Tickets to the ceremony are $125 each. Details: ARKdemocraticblackcaucus.org.
Work to halt traffic in Hardin Lock
Boaters are advised that Joe Hardin Lock (No. 3) in Jefferson County will be closed to traffic from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 12. The lock closure is required to facilitate ongoing work on the hydraulic system, according to a news release.
Details: US. Army Corps of Engineers Little Rock District Office, at (501) 324-5096 or email CESWL-OP-OM@usace.army.mil.
Hospice sets volunteer training in PB
Arkansas Hospice will host a volunteer training session at 10 a.m. Feb. 25 for anyone wanting to learn about the organization and its volunteer opportunities. The training will be held at the Arkansas Hospice office at 1301 Ridgway Road, Suite 2A, and lunch will be provided.
“A vital part of the hospice care team, Arkansas Hospice volunteers are caring, committed people from all walks of life who gain a sense of satisfaction from making a difference in the lives of others. These volunteers provide ongoing support wherever a patient calls home in a variety of ways that include making personal visits or phone calls, sitting with patients to give caregivers a rest and, most of all, listening and sharing thoughts and feelings. Other volunteer opportunities include helping with office work and special events plus specialized volunteering in other areas, such as sewing and pet therapy,” according to a news release.
Volunteers must be trained and certified, must pass a background check and driving record check and provide evidence of a current driver’s license and automobile insurance. A flu shot and tuberculosis skin test are also required.
To register for the volunteer training, email Linda Bateman, volunteer coordinator, at lbateman@arkansashospice.org or call (870) 850-6195, or 800-596-6195 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Details: www.ArkansasHospice.org/volunteer.
Nominations open for Food Hall of Fame
The Division of Arkansas Heritage announced that nominations for its 2025 Arkansas Food Hall of Fame have opened, according to a news release.
Categories include:
Arkansas Food Hall of Fame – recognizing long-standing restaurants that help create our food culture.
Proprietor of the Year — honoring a chef, cook and/or restaurant owner with significant impact on local food tastes and preferences.
Food-Themed Event — honoring a community food-themed event or festival that preserves a community’s unique food history.
Gone But Not Forgotten — remembering past establishments that set the table for food tastes and preferences today.
People’s Choice — restaurants or food trucks, new or old, that keep our palettes whet for more Arkansas flavors.
Nominations will be open through Feb. 28. Nominations will be accepted at ArkFoodHOF.com.