On behalf of the Pine Bluff Interested Citizens for Voter Registration Inc. (PBICVR) Original KingFest Celebration (OKFC) executive committee, I extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who participated in the 42nd Annual OKFC Activities.
We appreciate all of our speakers, City Council Member William L. Fells III, who addressed the Watson Chapel High School Wildcat Society Gentlemen Club. Miss UAPB Diamon K. Ellis, joined by Alpha Rho Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and led by Basileus Charleston Colen. Miss UAPB spoke at Friendship Aspire Academy Public Charter Elementary School. Mr. UAPB, Jerry L. Sands III, spoke to Coleman Elementary School scholars in the Watson Chapel School District. He was joined by the Gamma Delta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. under the leadership of President Nicholas Norfolk Jr.
We are grateful to the Pine Bluff Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. for providing the Best Poster Awards and for volunteering to serve birthday cake at the MLK Birthday Bash.
Thanks to our Grand Parade Marshal for the 42nd Annual Original KingFest Celebration, J. Thomas May, and to Director Roy Hearn from Perry’s Funeral Home Inc., for assisting with the limousine for the OKFC Grand Parade Marshal.
In line with our nonviolence parade theme, PBICVR, a legacy member and Pine Bluff Community Affiliate Network (CAN) with the Woodson Center in Washington, D.C., sponsored the youth-led pledge against gun violence. We continue in pray, honor and encourage the mothers and families of homicide victims to know they are never alone, that help and support are available through the Woodson Center’s “Voices of Black Mothers United.”
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We thank the Victims’ Witness of Arkansas from Cabot and the support group with Lennox Industries from Stuttgart, Ark. Our gratitude extends to the New Life Church Family and Pastor Matt Mosler for hosting the 21st Annual Observance of NAFJ Justice Sunday 2026. We appreciate Bessie Smith Lancelin for providing the Lorenzo Smith Band Trophy and for assembling the choir that performed dynamic, inspirational music at the Justice Sunday special occasion.
I thank the members of the OKFC Parade Committee, led by Pelida J. Norris, for encouraging more young men in the parade’s history to participate and perform in this year’s OKFC Parade. We thank 5 Star Cutz, Stylez — PStylez-Stylist, Lanivia S. Morris, Hair Attraction, A&A Beauty Supply Store,LLC, Rev. James Hill Jr, BBFK, Inc., Pastor Yolonda Pitts, Turning Point Youth Center Inc., Rev. A. Dale Watkins Sr., and Minister Sonya Watkins, Reu’Rose Coaching by Sonya, Super 1, Hazel Street location, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the city of Pine Bluff and Mayor Flowers, PBPD, PB Fire and Emergency Services, the Color Guard from Watson Chapel and Pine Bluff high schools. These are the schools, organizations and businesses that help make OKFC a tremendous success, and we thank them.
A special thanks to the Pine Bluff Commercial, the Heat Magazine, Kim Jones-Sneed — stuffinthebluff, KARK 4 News and DeltaPlex News.
Lastly, January is National Mentoring Month. Mentoring is a low-cost, high-impact solution. When young people are effectively mentored, 98% remain in school, 98% do not become teen parents, 85% avoid drug use and 98% avoid gang involvement.
Rev. Jesse C. Turner is executive director of Pine Bluff Interested Citizens for Voter Registration Inc.