Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Hosts Jannie M. Cotton as Guest Speaker
JONESBORO – As part of a celebration at Arkansas State University for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, guest speaker Jannie M. Cotton will take the stage at Fowler Center at noon on Monday, Jan. 15.
[UPDATE: This event has been rescheduled for Saturday, Jan. 20, at 5 p.m. at Fullness of Joy Ministries Church, 2120 Thorn St., Jonesboro. The Youth Celebration originally planned for Sunday, Jan. 14, has been rescheduled to Sunday, Jan. 21, at 4 p.m at the Jonesboro High School Performing Arts Center.]
“When selecting a speaker, the desire is to select someone who can inspire the audience, who has a list of accomplishments that will make the audience want to hear them, and someone who can engage the audience's attention with their style of delivery. Ms. Cotton fits that bill with her style of delivery, her accomplishments as CEO, her education, and notable awards received,” said Dr. Lonnie Williams, vice chancellor for Diversity, Inclusion and Community Engagement.
Cotton has received the Senator Erma Hunter Brown Leadership Award, the LRAC Physical and Mental Health Award, and the Honorable Lottie Shackleford Political Awareness and Involvement Award.
She recently retired from her position as chief executive officer of Professional Counseling Associates (PCA) in North Little Rock where she served for 13 years. She is the first Black woman in the state to serve in this role.
“Ms. Cotton sees her primary focus as an advocate for those without a voice. She has a passion for serving others,” said Williams.
She received a bachelor’s degree in child development from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff followed by a master’s degree in counseling from the University of Central Arkansas.
“With her background as a counseling professional, a colon cancer survivor, and political involvement, I am most looking forward to learning how her background shapes her view of the things going on in Arkansas and the world today and how will she encourage members of this community to work toward the dream of Dr. King,” Williams continued.
Williams said in her time as a licensed professional counselor, Cotton has worked for the past nearly four decades to develop shelters, outreach programs and children’s services in Arkansas.
“Mental health is a big concern across college campuses today. When you see many of the homeless on street corners, and violence in general with mass shootings, and wars, a mental health professional's point of view toward local, state or global issues could bring about perspective that could create a better level of understanding these issues,” added Williams.
There are other activities planned leading up to Martin Luther King Jr. Day and on Monday ahead of Cotton’s keynote speech.
The event is free to the public and will take place at Fowler Center, located at 201 Olympic Dr. For those that are unable to attend in person, KLEK radio will broadcast live on 102.5 FM as well as on their Facebook page.
