Black Business District of Jonesboro is Topic for Black History Month Event
JONESBORO – As part of the celebrations for Black History Month, Arkansas State University Museum will host an interactive panel discussion about the once-thriving Black business district of Jonesboro.The event, planned for Friday, Feb. 9, from 5 until 6 p.m., will take a look at the more than 50 successful businesses that were located in Jonesboro from the late 1800s until the mid-1960s.Attendees will learn about local African American entrepreneurs and their business endeavors during a presentation by Jill Kary, curator of education for A-State Museum.The event will also feature a lively discussion led by African American panelists, Norma Ferrell, Leroy Johnson and Roger McKinney.With their heritage deeply rooted in Jonesboro, the panelists will share their memories of the once-thriving Black business district and will welcome audience questions and discussion. “From the 1880s to the 1960s, segregation laws in Arkansas separated the races of Jonesboro,” says Kary. “Still, Black businesses, schools, and the brave African American community itself flourished.”
The event is free and open to the public.“We invite everyone to attend and participate in this timely panel conversation and discover intriguing local Black History,” added Kary.
For more information, contact Kary via email at jkary@AState.edu or by calling 870-972-2074.
