Indigo Blue Coffeehouse, 212 W. Barraque St., will host discussions on Black History Month twice weekly.
The program is co-sponsored by the African-American Leadership Council of Pine Bluff. The Black History discussions are free and open to the public, according to a news release.
Thursdays during the lunch hour, a general discussion will be held. Tuesdays from 5:30-7 p.m. the “Talking Circle” will be held, allowing participants to give oral accounts about their family history or share information about Pine Bluff’s African-American History.
Local historian Lori Walker is one of the facilitators.
“Breaking the discussions down to two nights each week will allow for us to expand on the lunch discussions and give participants the opportunity to share their own stories at a time which is much more convenient,” Walker said. “Those who would like to share family documents or photos should bring copies only.”
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The schedule and topics include:
Thursday, Feb 6 — 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., African Americans and the Origin of Pine Bluff and Jefferson County (1500’s – 1820);
Tuesday, Feb. 11 — 5:30-7:30 p.m., Talking Circle – Oral History, Photos, and Documents;
Thursday, Feb. 13 — 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., Peril and Paradise – Race, Self Determination, and the Growth of Black Leadership in Pine Bluff During and After Reconstruction (1820-1915);
Tuesday, Feb. 18 — 5:30-7:30 p.m., Talking Circle – Oral History, Photos, and Documents;
Thursday, Feb. 20 — 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., Losing Ground and Gaining Steam: Social, Political and Economic Shifts that impacted African Americans; and the Growth of Black Farms and the Black Middle Class in Pine Bluff (1915-1940);
Tuesday, Feb. 25 — 5:30-7:30 p.m., Talking Circle – Oral History, Photos, and Documents;
Thursday, Feb. 27 — 11:45 to 1:15 p.m., Pine Bluff’s African Americans Progressive Leaders and How They Impacted Policies in the state and throughout the South (1940-1970);
Tuesday, March 3 — 5:30-7:30 p.m., Talking Circle – Oral History, Photos, and Documents.
Indigo Blue will have available a brown bag lunch. To reserve lunch, participants should call 870-210-4120. Details: Maryann Lee, Indigo Blue owner, 870-718-5330.