Arkadelphia Honors Black History

(Editor’s Note: Each year, Arkansas Business partners with the Arkansas Municipal League to present the Trendsetter City awards, which recognize exceptional initiatives underway in municipalities across the state. Large, medium and small-sized cities were honored in six categories: Diversity and Inclusion; Education/Workforce Development; Infrastructure and Water; Public Works/Environmental and Green Management; Technology and Security; and Tourism Development/Creative Culture. Below is one winner’s story. For more, click here.) 

Diversity and Inclusion
Winner • 5,000-20,000

The Challenge

Arkadelphia’s leaders wanted to find a way to highlight the contributions from African Americans who have shaped the city. Honoring their influence in a meaningful way was crucial for the city, but the lack of record-keeping on early Black history in the area made it challenging to identify meritorious individuals and present their life stories. Finding a way to show the city’s commitment to celebrating all residents’ heritages that was attention-grabbing, fact-based and aesthetically-pleasing posed a challenge.

The Solution

In 2021, Arkadelphia established a Hall of Fame recognition system, with an accompanying event held annually at the start of Black History Month. Partnering with Ouachita Baptist University, a committee of local Black leaders selects candidates for recognition in fields like education, politics and philanthropy, among others, then city staff research the candidates to present a detailed history on their lives. The honorees are recognized at the event in February and throughout the year with banners on city street lights, ensuring their histories are celebrated and preserved.

On Exhibit

Arkadelphia leaders plan to work with the local historical association to create Black History Month exhibits that will preserve the street light banners and provide more information about the honorees to visitors and local residents.

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