Alliance CEO chairs LR Federal Reserve
Allison J.H. Thompson, president/CEO of the Economic Development Alliance for Jefferson County, has been elected board chair of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Little Rock Branch.
“This incredible achievement is a testament to her exemplary leadership, dedication, and unwavering commitment to excellence. We are immensely proud of Allison and celebrate this well-deserved recognition of her contributions.” according to the Alliance and Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce news release.
Thompson will be board chair for 2025. She has served on the board since 2023.
“Members of the St. Louis Fed’s board of directors and those of its branch boards in Little Rock, Ark., Louisville, Ky., and Memphis, Tenn., are familiar with the economic and credit conditions of their respective regions. Their observations — along with the economic data and information gathered and analyzed by St. Louis Fed staff — help ensure that conditions of Main Street America are represented in Federal Open Market Committee deliberations in Washington, D.C.,” according to Federal Reserve Bank news release.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Black History panel announces event
The Black History Commission of Arkansas and the Arkansas State Archives will present a symposium titled “Empowering Narratives: Unveiling Hidden Stories of Resilience and Achievements” from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center in Little Rock.
This symposium will shine a spotlight on contributions of African Americans in Arkansas history, whose stories have often gone untold, according to a news release.
Featured speakers are:
Jimmy Cunningham: Highlighting the legacy of O.W. Gurley, an entrepreneur and founder of the historic Greenwood District, also known as “Black Wall Street.”
Phillip Herndon: Exploring the achievements of African American athletes in the Arkansas Track and Field Hall of Fame.
Macy Butler: Telling the story of Arkansas’s first Black Game Warden and tracing the journey of cotton in the state’s history.
This event is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is encouraged. For more information and to register for the symposium, visit https://www.eventbrite.com.
Be Pro Be Proud sponsorships open
The Economic Development Alliance for Jefferson County has partnered with Be Pro Be Proud to bring Pine Bluff’s Draft Day back to the city.
The event matches high school students with employers based on corresponding interests, talents and needs.
Draft Day for the Arkansas Delta region will take place April 3 at the Pine Bluff Convention Center.
“Our goal is to have 300 graduating seniors and 500 students from grades 9-11 at this event,” according to a news release.
For sponsorship details, contact Miranda Allen, business development manager, at miranda.allen@beprobeproud.org or (501) 681-5017.
Local on Maryland Dean’s List
Ashley Harrington of Sheridan was named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2024 term at University of Maryland Global Campus at Adelphi, MD. To be eligible for the honor, a student must complete at least six credits during the term, earn a grade point average of at least 3.5, and maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.5 at UMGC, according to a news release.
Area Agency sets menu
Area Agency on Aging of Southeast Arkansas offers lunch from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. weekdays at the senior centers. Next week’s menu includes:
Feb. 3 — Scrambled eggs, sausage, biscuit, fruit, juice, and milk.
Feb. 4 — Cheesy chicken and potato casserole, brussels sprouts, dinner roll, winter hot fruit, and milk.
Feb. 5 — Taco soup, tortilla chips, salsa, lettuce salad, fruit, and milk.
Feb. 6 — Smothered pork cutlet, pickled beets, broccoli, roll, cobbler, and milk.
Feb. 7 — Meatballs with gravy, carrots, mashed potatoes, wheat bread, fruit cocktail, and milk.