A-State Museum to host local African American entrepreneurs event

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 will be held Friday (Feb. 9) and will take a look at the more than 50 successful businesses that were located in Jonesboro from the late 1800s until the mid-1960s. It is free and open to the public.

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 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,” said Kary. “Still, Black businesses, schools, and the brave African American community itself flourished. We invite everyone to attend and participate in this timely panel conversation and discover intriguing local Black History.”