BRTC Announces Its Annual 2025 Black History Month Event

Black River Technical College (BRTC), in collaboration with the Eddie Mae Herron Center, will be hosting a Black History Month Event on Thursday, February 27 at 11:00 a.m. The event will be held at the Randolph County Development Center on the Pocahontas campus, located at 1410 Hwy. 304 East.

This year’s speaker is Brian Rodgers, adult education interpretive specialist for the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, Arkansas’s Museum. Rodgers will be presenting “What’s in the Pot?” a presentation that explains the rich history and cultural significance of soul food within the African American community. The BRTC Grill will also be offering a soul food plate lunch, including a drink and dessert, for $12.

Rodgers holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in history from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a focus on African American institutions in Arkansas from 1868 to 1920, the intersection of church and politics in the African American community, and Emancipation Day celebrations across the state.

Rodgers is an active member of several community and professional organizations, including the Pulaski County Historical Society, Arkansas Historical Association, Arkansas Museum Association, Little Rock Metro Rotary Club, and Downtown Museum Consortium. In his free time, he enjoys spending quality time with his son, Christopher, attending live music events, and creating lasting memories with his family.

For more information about the event or to RSVP, contact BRTC Development Specialist Shawna Lepard at (870) 248-4026 or shawna.lepard@blackrivertech.edu.