Pine Bluff stands at a crossroads. As Arkansas’ fastest-shrinking city, we face a critical choice: continue declining, or leverage our unique civil rights heritage to drive economic revitalization.
The solution lies in renaming Hazel Street as Martin Luther King Jr. Street — not just as symbolic recognition, but as a strategic economic development catalyst that could transform our community’s trajectory.
Dr. King’s historic connection to Pine Bluff runs deeper than many realize. In May 1958, King delivered his only documented speech in Arkansas right here at Arkansas Agricultural, Mechanical and Normal College — now the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. His powerful commencement address, where he urged graduates to reject the “best Negro anything” mentality in favor of true integration, planted seeds that bloomed into the historic 1963 student sit-ins at Woolworth’s lunch counter.
The economic retaliation that followed — legislators slashing AM&N’s budget by $50,000 for hosting King — demonstrated the profound impact of his visit.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
This authentic historical connection provides the foundation for heritage tourism development that cities across America lack.
The economic evidence for the Martin Luther King Jr. Street naming is compelling and quantifiable. Atlanta’s $30 million MLK Jr. Boulevard Innovation Corridor project spans seven miles and includes the iVillage development, new residential units and comprehensive business support initiatives. Fort Myers, Fla., established its MLK redevelopment area in 2000, implementing tax increment financing and zoning overlays that removed barriers to economic development.
Most impressive is Liberty City, Fla.’s, Martin Luther King Economic Development Corporation, which has operated successfully for 50 years, maintaining 100% occupancy in its business center and creating over 30 jobs even during the 2020 pandemic.
The heritage tourism market offers exceptional economic potential. Civil rights trail tourism generates $171 billion annually in the U.S., growing at 4.2% yearly. Heritage tourists spend 38% more per day and stay 22% longer than typical visitors. The National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis attracts 250,000-plus visitors annually, generating over $4 million in revenue.
Mississippi’s Civil Rights Museum projects $17 million in annual economic impact. These numbers reflect demand for authentic civil rights experiences that Pine Bluff, with its genuine MLK connection, can uniquely provide.
Renaming Hazel Street as Martin Luther King Jr. Street would integrate seamlessly with Pine Bluff’s comprehensive economic development efforts. The city has already invested millions in downtown revitalization and tourism infrastructure, demonstrating commitment to leveraging our cultural assets to create the cohesive visitor experience needed to capture this potential.
Beyond tourism, Martin Luther King Jr. Street would generate broader community benefits. Educational opportunities would multiply through school field trips, university partnerships and civic engagement programs. Property values along the corridor would benefit from coordinated development, following successful models like Lansing, Mich.’s, South Martin Luther King Corridor Improvement Authority. Local businesses would gain from increased foot traffic and the positive association with civil rights heritage. Most importantly, the street would instill community pride and provide a focal point for ongoing economic development efforts.
Naysayers may question the costs or worry about controversy, but the evidence overwhelmingly supports the Martin Luther King Jr. Street naming as economic development strategy. Academic research by Matthew Mitchelson demonstrates that businesses on Martin Luther King Jr. Streets perform comparably to those on Main Streets and JFK boulevards in terms of revenue and employment. The key is strategic planning and sustained investment.
The timing couldn’t be better. With dedicated tourism funding, federal transportation grants and growing momentum from downtown revitalization efforts, Pine Bluff has the resources and leadership to make Martin Luther King Jr. Street a catalytic success. The 2025 appointment of Jimmy Cunningham Jr. as Tourism Development Director signals serious commitment to heritage tourism development.
Pine Bluff city leaders must act decisively to rename Hazel Street as Martin Luther King Jr. Street and integrate it into our heritage tourism strategy. Other Arkansas cities lack our authentic MLK connection and existing cultural infrastructure. By moving quickly, we can establish Pine Bluff as a premier civil rights heritage destination in Arkansas, capturing tourism dollars while honoring our extraordinary history.
The choice is clear: embrace our civil rights legacy as economic opportunity, or watch other communities capitalize on heritage tourism while Pine Bluff continues shrinking. Dr. King’s 1958 message about rejecting limitations remains relevant today.
Let’s honor his legacy by transforming Pine Bluff into the thriving, economically vibrant community he envisioned — starting with renaming Hazel Street as Martin Luther King Jr. Street.
It is estimated that Civil Rights tourism produces $5-$8 billion national economic impact, Little Rock’s successful tourism model generating $1.5 billion, while Pine Bluff stands to generate $15-$40 million by developing our unique Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. heritage.
The Pine Bluff City Council should immediately begin the process of renaming Hazel Street as Martin Luther King Jr. Street and incorporating it into our tourism development plans. Our economic future depends on leveraging our unique historical assets today.
Albert King Jr. is the chair of the Political Action Committee of the Pine Bluff Branch of the NAACP.