This year’s BRTC Black History Month Event, “A Conversation with the Blues,” will feature Terry "Big T" Williams on lead guitar and vocals and Jerry Bone on bass guitar. Mike Doyle, retired KASU manager and ASU instructor, will introduce the featured guests and discuss the roots of the Blues and how the Blues has influenced music.

This event is free and open to the public and will begin at 1:00 p.m. on February 24 in the Randolph County Development Center on the BRTC Pocahontas campus. The event is made possible by the BRTC Foundation and the Eddie Mae Herron Center.

What's in the Pot?

with Brian Rodgers

With Michael Eubanks, saxophonist and vocalist

Performed by Darius Wallace and Ann Wallace

Dr. Goudsouzian’s presentation is entitled “My Mississippi is Everywhere: James Meredith and American History.” In 1962, James Meredith courageously integrated the University of Mississippi, despite mob violence and constant threats. He was touted as a hero for the civil rights movement. But Meredith fits no conventional description of a civil rights icon. Throughout his life, he has remained a contradiction: a staunch individualist who seeks to destroy white supremacy. The lecture explores the contours of Meredith’s life and what it might tell us about today.

Dr. Aram Goudsouzian is the Bizot Family Professor of History at the University of Memphis. He is the author of five books, including the award-winning Down to the Crossroads: Civil Rights, Black Power, and the Meredith March Against Fear.

In collaboration with the Eddie Mae Herron Center, the BRTC Foundation sponsors speakers to celebrate Black History Month.

This year Ethel Tompkins, member of the "Hoxie 21" and Amber Grady, Dean of Students for Williams Baptist University will speak at the Randolph County Development Center at the BRTC campus in Pocahontas, AR at 10:00 am on Thursday, February 20th.

The Black History Month programs are free and open to the public!

Black River Technical College and the Eddie Mae Herron Center will host Toby Daughtery on Thursday, February 19 at 10 a.m. in the Randolph County Development Center at BRTC in Poca-hontas. Daughtery will share his inspiring journey from prison inmate to college graduate.

Daughtery grew up in North Little Rock where he lived with his grandmother until he was 10 then was raised with his four brothers and two sisters by his single mother. While a teenager, Daughtery became involved in selling drugs and was incar-cerated three times. Finally, however, he enrolled in Pulaski Technical College in North Little Rock where he graduated with honors. Today, Daughtery shares his story to help oth-ers find a path through education.

In 2010 he delivered the keynote address during the opening sessions of the Achiev-ing the Dream Strategy Institute in Indianapolis, Indiana. Daughtery was the first student keynote speaker in the event’s history.

Black River Technical College in collaboration with the Eddie Mae Herron Center will host Rodney Harris presenting “Spokesmen for Their Race: African-American Political Involvement in Arkansas, 1868-1893” Tuesday, February 10, at 11 a.m. in the Randolph County Development Center in Pocahontas.

Between 1868 and 1893 African-Americans took part in the drafting of two constitutions and served in every session of the Arkansas General Assembly.  Eight-four African-Americans served in the General Assembly.  These men were farmers, lawyers and ministers.

Harris, a Pocahontas native, is currently a PHD candidate and lecturer at the University of Arkansas where he specializes in Political History and Southern History.  For more information contact the office of Institutional Advancement at (870)248-4000.