Arkansas
Arkansas Activist Reflects on the Legacy of Reverend Jesse Jackson
Little Rock, AR (KATV) — Leaders in Arkansas’s Black community are reflecting on the passing of civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson and the enduring legacy he leaves behind.
Among them is Edmond W. Davis — a historian, activist, and professor at Arkansas Baptist College — who says Jackson’s life and work shaped not only a generation of leaders, but the course of American history.
Davis, who is well-versed in African American history and civil rights, had the opportunity to meet and march alongside Jackson nearly 20 years ago during demonstrations surrounding the Jena Six case in Louisiana. He later met Jackson again about four years ago in Selma, a city widely recognized as a historic landmark of the Civil Rights Movement.
For Davis, those encounters were more than moments in time — they were affirmations of a calling to continue the work laid by leaders before him.
“This is our history, and so we have to embrace it, the ups and downs, the highs, the lows, the glows and grows,” Davis said. “We have to embrace our history. And he’s one of the pillars of the 20th century that people scholars of the 21st Century, we can look back and say, Hey, let’s embrace what he talked about again,” Davis said.
He described Jackson as a towering figure whose influence extended well beyond the African American community.
“Let’s bask in the ambience of what he did for this country, what he did for not just black people, not black Americans, but all Americans. And so we can let them know, in terms of that realm, that Jesse Jackson represented all Americans. He was an ambassador of humanity. He wasn’t just a civil rights activist. He was a global rights icon,” Davis said.
When reflecting personally on Jackson’s character, Davis said several qualities immediately come to mind.
“When I think about Reverend Jesse Jackson, I think about ambition. I think about the sense of American identity. I think about, of course, the walk in faith with Jesus Christ. I think about being a family man.”
Davis continues to carry forward the mission of advocacy and community empowerment. Most recently, he represented Little Rock as a grand marshal for the largest African American history parade held during Black History Month in Louisiana — an annual event welcoming people of all races and ethnicities to celebrate shared history and culture.
In addition to his role as a professor and historian, Davis serves as the executive director of the HBCU Black Wall Street CareerFest and remains active in numerous leadership roles throughout the community. He says leaders like Jackson continue to inspire him to use his voice for positive change.
As Arkansas and the nation remember Reverend Jesse Jackson, Davis says the best way to honor his legacy is to embrace the history he helped shape — and to continue building on the foundation he laid.
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KATV) — Purple is the color of the month in Arkansas, and Lupus Awareness Month is bringing a busy stretch of events, including a mayoral proclamation and a smooth jazz concert featuring acclaimed saxophonist Merlon Devine.
A proclamation for Lupus Awareness Month is set for 6 p.m. in North Little Rock, with Mayor Hardwick expected to present it. Organizers encouraged lupus warriors and supporters to come out.
Anita Boone, President of the Lupus Foundation of Arkansas Inc. and a former lupus warrior, described the day-to-day reality of living with the disease: “One minute you’re feeling amazing, the next minute your body is saying we can’t do this.”
Lupus is an autoimmune disease, described during the interview as a condition where the immune system attacks the body “inside out.” It can affect organs throughout the body, including the brain, lungs, heart and kidneys. Boone also shared personal impacts, saying, “I am losing, actually, ear from hearing, just because of lupus.”
The Lupus Foundation of Arkansas is also inviting the community to a Lupus Smooth Jazz Concert this Sunday, May 17, at 3:30 at The Space with Grace event venue, 2005 Main St., North Little Rock.
Gale Davis, committee chair for the Lupus Smooth Jazz Concert shared details about the concert.
Davis said guests are encouraged to “dress to impress,” though formalwear isn’t required. The event will include a photo backdrop, light hors d’oeuvres and beverages, and sponsored tables aimed at networking. It’s also a chance for people to meet other lupus warriors, learn more about the foundation’s work, and watch a video presentation highlighting events from the past year.
The featured artist, Merlon Devine, was described as an acclaimed saxophonist known for a soulful, smooth jazz sound, with a career spanning more than two decades and performances across the country and around the world. He’s also an Arkansas native who attended Little Rock Central High School. He now lives in Southern Maryland, outside Washington, D.C.
Davis said Devine’s connection to lupus is personal. She said his father had lupus and has since died, though he didn’t die from lupus. They also said Divine had a sister who died from lupus in 1981 and that he currently has two sisters living with lupus.
She also shared that, according to his doctors, Devine was born with acute asthma and underdeveloped lungs. His latest single, released last year, is called “Mercy.”
Tickets must be purchased online and will not be sold at the door. They’re available online by clicking on the flyer. Prices are $40 for individual tickets, or $400 for a table of nine, with an option to sponsor a table.
Organizers also noted another proclamation is planned for the Little Rock side with Mayor Frank Scott tomorrow, and encouraged people to follow the Lupus Foundation of Arkansas on social media for updates.
The concert will take place this Sunday at the Space With Grace Venue in North Little Rock.
ASHLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. — An Arkansas man died after crashing a dirt bike on Sunday.
The 21-year-old Arkansas man, formerly from Newaygo, crashed into a tree while riding a dirt bike on private property in Ashland Township near Grant on Sunday before 2:30 p.m., according to Michigan State Police (MSP) troopers.
Emergency responders tried to save his life but he died at the scene.
Troopers are still investigating but do not suspect drugs or alcohol as factors in the crash.
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MSP did not initially release any additional information.
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas softball will once again host an NCAA Regional, this time as the No. 5 overall national seed.
The Razorbacks (42-11) will be the top seed in Fayetteville and open the tournament against fourth-seeded Fordham (27-26) at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, May 15.
Washington (36-18) is the two-seed and will face three-seed South Florida (42-15) that same day inside Bogle Park.
Arkansas is paired with the Durham Regional hosted by Duke (39-14) for a potential super regional. Arizona (35-16), Marshall (37-17) and Howard (28-17) are joining the Blue Devils in the regional.
This is the sixth consecutive season the Razorbacks will host a regional. It is also the program’s eighth straight NCAA Tournament berth under coach Courtney Deifel. Arkansas has reached the NCAA tournament 14 times, and more than half of those appearances have come under Deifel.
Arkansas ended the season No. 1 in the RPI despite finishing seventh in the SEC standings. The Hogs were eliminated by Alabama in the conference tournament quarterfinals.
Last year, Arkansas lost to SEC rival Ole Miss in the Super Regionals. The Hogs fell one win shy of reaching the Women’s College World Series for the first time in program history. They are hoping to take that elusive next step this summer and book a trip to Oklahoma City in two weeks time.
Jackson Fuller covers Arkansas football, basketball and baseball for the Southwest Times Record, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at jfuller@usatodayco.com or follow him @jacksonfuller16 on X, formerly known as Twitter.
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