State University Volume 3, Issue 3 DELTA STUDIES CENTER December 17, 2001

A Message From the Center Peggy R. Wright This year has been one of Our Accomplishments Delta Regional Authority surprises and sorrows have been numerous this hosted by DSC gave us across our country with year, and we are looking the opportunity to see the September 11th trag- forward to another great how important our infor- edy. We, at the Center, year. mation clearinghouse send out our condo- development is to the communities we serve. lences. Because of the Support Special points of interest: Plans are in place for from the East AR RC&D • East Arkansas RC &D Annual Meeting "Partnershipping two more forums and a Happy Kwanzaa, Hanuk- and the NRCS, we will be in the Delta" regional conference on kah, and Merry Christ- able to continue our Oral • DRA Federal Co-Chair Swearing in Ceremony Tourism in the Spring. mas, and a Happy New History efforts in the • Lakeport Plantation - Preserving the Past year to all of our friends Delta Region. Our appre- across the country. ciation to Representa- The forums and confer- • 1st Arkansas Black Mayors Conference tives Boyd and Dangeau ence are all made pos- • The Delta Regional Authority: Roles in African-American and to Burr Swann for sible through our Ford and Multicultural Tourism Economic Development Forum I would like to take this their lobbying on our be- Foundation funded opportunity to thank all of half for additional fund- grant "Project to Build the friends and support- the Delta Tourism In- ers of the Delta Studies ing. dustry." Center. A recent forum on the Welcome to our Newest DSC Member

The Delta Studies Center would like to take this opportunity to welcome our newest member to the DSC family, Mr. Stephen Carroll

Mr. Carroll is a long time resident of Malvern, Arkansas who came to ASU to obtain a degree in Journalism from the College of Communications.

He will be working closely with the Oral History Staff as a student Assistant/ Oral History Interviewer. Welcome Aboard! Stephen Carroll, Delta Studies Center Oral History Student Assistant Stephen! East AR RC&D Annual Meeting “Partnershipping in the Delta”

“Partnershipping in the Delta” was County Fire Department and Charles timely and appropriate as we look at the Gangluff, Arkansas Association of Delta today. Rep. LeRoy Dangeau, RC&D Councils. Council President gave the opening remarks followed by a welcome from Dr. The morning speaker was Bruce Les Wyatt, President, Arkansas State Campbell, Director, Department of University. Rural Services, Little Rock, Arkansas who gave information on programs There were two panel discussions pre- and funds available for communities sented, the first, Partnerships: Local, and how to apply. Congressman State and National with panelists, Bill Marion Berry was the scheduled Rainwater, Arkansas Association of Con- luncheon speaker but due to national servation Districts, Randy Young, Arkan- matters had to return to Washington sas Soil & Water Commission, Peggy and was unable to attend. Jason Wright, ASU-Delta Studies Center and Willett of his Jonesboro office gave Doris Washington, USDA, Natural Re- remarks in his absence on issues sources Conservation Service. The sec- affecting our communities and the Rep. LeRoy Dangeau President of the East AR RC & D ond panel, Projects: Local, Multi County work that the Congressman was & Statewide panelists included: Mayor presently engaged in. He stated that, On Wednesday, October 31, 2001, Mike Wood, Cherry Valley, Arkansas, “If you look around this room you can the Annual Meeting of the East AR Shirley Ball, Cross County Conservation definitely see the advantage of part- RC&D Council was held at the ASU District, Bart Rowe, Western Greene nerships among local, state and Convocation Center. The theme, national governmental agencies that have resulted in a number of projects that benefit rural Arkansas.”

[Left to Right] Closing remarks made by Rep. Doris Washington, Dangeau to those in attendance was USDA, NRCS that, “Cooperation is the Key to Part- Asst. State nerships and that “we must pledge to Conservationalist and be faithful to our partnerships.” Ruby Henderson, Sen. ’s Office

[Left to Right] Willard Ryland, District Conservationalist, Forrest City Field Service Office and Mayor James Brooks, City of Madison

Bruce Campbell, Arkansas Department of Rural Services

Page 2 Volume 3, Issue 3 DRA Federal Co-Chair Swearing In Ceremony

Mr. Pete Johnson was sworn in on It was a very impressive ceremony remedy the severe and chronic Tuesday, October 23, 2001 as the attended by many across the re- economic distress in the commu- Delta Regional Authority Federal gion. We look forward to working nities throughout the region. Co-Chairman. The ceremony was with Mr. Johnson as he begins the held in the Federal Building in task of pulling together represen- Clarksdale, MS. tatives from the eight states to

Mr. Pete Johnson with his wife taking oath as the DRA Federal Co-Chair at the Swearing in Ceremony Mr. Pete Johnson delivering his acceptance speech.

Lakeport Plantation - Preserving the Past

The Lakeport Plantation home, lo- the Angel Family for their cated in Lake Village Arkansas, is one contribution. It is not only of the few remaining remnants of a story of slaves who had antebellum architecture in Southeast no education or formal Arkansas. The Sam Angel family building skills but were Early Stove in deeded it to Arkan- able to build the Lakeport sas State University the magnifi- Home. on October 16, cent home 2001. The home Lake Village, Arkansas, is one that has lasted placed on the of the few remnants of for years, but National Historic antebellum architecture in also of the Register in 1974 Southeast, Arkansas. agricultural will serve as an development educational class- of the region room and labora- and changes Cistern that tory for ASU, as well as museum for witnessed by those who still remains heritage-minded tourists traveling the lived on the plantation. on the Arkansas segment of the Great River For more information con- Lakeport home Road, which traverses the ten states tact: Dr. Ruth Hawkins, grounds. along the River. A lunch- Delta Heritages Initiatives eon was held in November to honor at 870-910-8080.

Delta Studies Center Page 3 1st Annual Black Mayors Association Conference, Forrest City, Arkansas

On November 18, 2001, the 1st Annual Ar- never forget going to Ground Zero and the asset a family will ever own, as well as the kansas Black Mayor’s Conference took place Pentagon, and that he saw the power of hate. basis for wealth creation. Renee’ Wilburn, in Forrest City. The theme of the conference He told the touching story of when he visited from the DRED, also spoke as part of the was: “Mayors Coming Together As One, the mother of a 27-year-old black man from panel. Working For a Better Future For Their Cities.” Pine Bluff who lost his life in the Pentagon that Over 19 Black mayors from all around the day. She said her son’s lifelong dream was to After the Housing Development Panel, T.K area were in attendance. Larry Bryant, Mayor serve in the U.S. Pentagon. He reminded the Roberson and Earl Anthes gave a presentation of Forrest City and President of the Arkansas audience, however, that the war on terrorism to show mayors how to redistrict their cities. Black Mayors Association, hosted the event. doesn’t begin and end in Afghanistan. He The conference featured three main panels: called it “the start of what’s going to be a long Mrs. Peggy Wright, director of the Delta Community Resources, Legislative Issues, struggle against those who would destroy what Studies Center, spoke on behalf of the Delta and Housing Development. we hold dear.” On the issue of economic de- Studies Center Programs. "The Center velopment, he said the Senate needs to get an focuses on projects and initiatives within the Paulette Bailey, the Executive Director of the economic stimulus package bill passed before seven state Delta region utilizing faculty and Chapter of National Conference of the end of the session, which is December 14. student resources," she said. She talked Black Mayors, was the first speaker of the He ended his speech by saying, "We want to about the DSC newsletter - mentioning it was day. She stressed how it was important for serve you, we want to work with you, we want sent all across the country, and she called for all black mayors to come together; regardless to help you, God bless you." unity among black office - holders and in the of where they’re from. She said that there black community. "We will never get were 43 African-American mayors in the state Others who spoke on the panel were: Kevin anywhere...until we com together," she said. of Louisiana, and that it was her first time in Dedner, representing the Arkansas Wilbur Hawkins was the featured speaker at the state of Arkansas. Democratic Party; Renee Bullock, Attorney the evening dinner sponsored by the Delta General for Mark Pryor’s office; Lucretia Studies Center. Mr. Hawkins is the former On the Community Resources Panel, Jim Norris, who read a letter from Governor Mike Secretary of Commerce, as well as the former Smith talked about the Federal Surplus Prop- Huckabee office, in which he congratulated Executive Director of the Lower Mississippi erty; Charlie Wood, from the East Arkansas the majors on their historic first meeting; Delta Commission. He is currently with Planning and Development District, talked Representative Steve Jones; and Tommy Greenbelt Development Corporation out of about recycling. He pointed out that one of Davis, representing Congressman Marion Memphis, . He commended the the reasons we produce so much garbage Berry's office. Raymond Frazier from Senator people at the conference for coming together here is because we're so wasteful. Diane 's Office, spoke briefly toward and making the region what it is today, while Norman also from the the end of the meeting. also recognizing that the region has room for EAPDD, talked about devel- improvement. For instance, he talked about oping our communities. "Mayors Coming Together As After the Legislative Issues the vital importance of technology in today's Keith Hinch talked about One Working For a Better Panel came the Housing environment. His goal is for the Black Mayors transportation, and the im- Development Panel. Debra Conference to have its own website next year. Future For Their Cities." portance of wearing a seat- Brown, Deputy Director of "You can't at the local level….realistically plug belt. Memphis Housing, spoke to into all the available resources out there the mayors about having affordable housing without the help of the internet." He also After the Community Resource Panel, Henry available for their communities. To illustrate talked about issues such as grants, funding, Golatt, who works at the University of Arkan- her point, she started off by having everyone and retooling the Delta. Overall, he urged the sas at Pine Bluff, spoke on the subject of do an exercise where everyone put a piece of audience to arm themselves with knowledge economic development, and more specifi- paper on their heads and tried to blindly draw and information. "The smarter we are as cally, small business development. He said a house. Her point was that "you cannot plan citizens, the smarter our elected and that most of America is driven by the engine housing off the top of your head. " appointed officials have to be," he said. of small business. "You don't have to be a rocket scientist to start a small business," he Fred Toney of the Housing Assistance Council Overall the conference was successful and said. "You don't have to have a Ph.D. to won in Washington, D.C., a national non-profit very informative. Senator Hutchinson a small business. You do have to provide a community development organization also highlighted the Conference, but everyone who good quality service or a good quality prod- spoke on the panel. Their mission is to spoke had something important to say. uct." provide housing-related services to poor Hopefully, the Arkansas Black Mayors people throughout the nation. He said, “Our Association can put together conferences like After lunch, Mayor Bryant spoke briefly be- job is to work with the non-profits to help you this for many years to come. fore introducing Senator Hutchinson, the first find solutions to housing problems in your speaker on the Legislative Issues Panel. He community. What we need you to do is just to addressed many topics in his speech, includ- say, “We need your assistance.” Toney ing the “War on Terrorism”. He said he would pointed out that a home is the most valuable

Page 4 Volume 3, Issue 3 The Delta Regional Authority: University Roles in African-American and Multicultural Tourism Economic Development Forum

The Delta Re- region need to decide what part they are going to depressed areas develop problem-solving gional Authority: play in this development state of the DRA. Some skills as well as work experience. The uni- University Roles successful models presented by Mr. Range as po- versity can definitely take the lead in this in African- tential avenues that can be used by universities to area. American and help them define their role with the DRA are: The Multicultural Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Initiatives • Create more focus on healthcare issues. which focuses on facilitating the development of Tourism Eco- • Realize that some communities do not want several consortia based within the region, the Mid nomic Develop- to be engaged. The university setting could South Delta Initiative (MSDI) which focuses on ment Forum help in the situation by bringing people to- "strengthening the Delta communities by connecting was the first of gether and teaching them about the DRA three forums them with regional economic systems and support and what it can do for them. hosted by the structures to crate positive social and economic Delta Studies impact," and the Mid South Delta Consortium • Motivate faith-based organizations to stay Center at the (MSDC) whose goal centers on assisting "colleges within these poverty stricken areas. Convocation and universities in the Mid South Delta to increase Center located their capacity to serve the needs of the people of • More grassroots involvement. Go into the communities and learn first hand what they Delta Regional Authority County on the Arkan- the region." These are successful programs that sas State Univer- could possibly be used by local universities to help need. Be personable and involved. the DRA address such Delta concerns as: health- sity campus on November 30, 2001. The Delta • Bring together federal designee's and agen- care, community renewal, children, youth and fami- Regional Authority [DRA], a newly created federal- cies together with the federal co-chair to state government agency, is a new resource for lies, transportation, enterprise development, work- discuss their involvement with the DRA. planning and funding economic development in force development, housing, telecommunications, the Arkansas and Lower Re- small town development, and cultural and heritage • Citizen Engagement: engaging these people gions. It will serve a 236 county area in an eight tourism. and getting information back. Help them state region. help themselves by motivating them to vol- unteer within their own communities to bring It is no secret that universities traditionally revolve about change. Make them believe things The purpose of this forum was to discuss the around three major goals and those are teaching, change. university's role in the operations, planning, and conducting research, and providing service to com- funding programs of the Delta Regional Authority, munities. A good way to accomplish all of these • DRA needs to take an active role in the particularly in the area of African-American Multi- goals is through the development of service-learning building process of these communities. cultural Tourism Economic Development. opportunities with university students. These oppor- tunities can help prepare students "for the chal- • Federal Program - Extension Agencies need

lenges they will to be expanded beyond the current land Delta Studies Center sponsored the forum as a face in life by grant model. part of the Center's Ford Foundation funded integrating the "Mayors Coming Together As DRA needs to be very active in lobbying for "Project to Build the Delta Tourism Industry." The community • Congressional support and more monies to main presenter and facilitator for this forum was with their aca- One Working For a Better be given to the Lower Mississippi Delta Mr. Les Range. Mr. Range is a planning policy, demic experi- Future For Their Cities." Region. An office needs to be put in Wash- and development consultant with over twenty-five ences," as well ington DC to help the DRA to be visible to years experience in Delta regional community as help the congress, but it also needs to be visible in planning and economic development. He is the community Principal in the firm, Pro-Mark, Inc. build needed economic infrastructures while allow- the area it serves. ing universities to fulfill their perspective mission • The university could bring various Commu- Mr. Range began the forum by presenting the statements. So the question proposed to the forum nity Development Corporations (CDC's), four priorities set up by the Delta Regional Author- participants was how could this university and oth- Chamber of Commerce, and other Higher ity legislation which are: (1) Basic public infra- ers lie it partner with the DRA to address the prob- Education Institutes together to facilitate a structure in distressed counties and isolated lems facing the Lower Mississippi Delta? What meeting of collaboration at the local level to areas of distress; (2) Transportation infrastruc- ideas and issues come to mind when thinking about discuss building capacity. the information presented by the forums facilitator, ture for the purpose of facilitating economic de- velopment; (3) Business development with an Mr. Les Range? Listed below are some of the ideas, In closing, all the participants agreed that there emphasis on entrepreneurship; and, (4) Job train- suggestions, and points presented by the various needs to be a clear time frame stet up for assess- ing or employment-related education with and participants at this forum. ment of the issues raised prior to the February emphasis on use of exiting public education insti- 24, 2002 meeting of the governors from this tutions located within the region. The DRA will eight state region in Washington DC. A meeting have to spend at least 50% of the funds on pro- • Advance current and develop new partnerships with the Secretary of Education Ron Page could jects focused on transportation and infrastruc- within the Lower Mississippi Delta. Partner- possibly serve as the forum to establish a clear ture. These specifications have already been set ship is one of the keys to successfully disburs- statement of university involvement with the DRA up by the Legislature and now the only thing left ing DRA funds. as well as meeting of other Higher Education for the DRA to do is to develop its own policies • Targeting education and schools. Being strong representatives to form a consortium. Two more and procedures. It is during this crucial time that proponents of education starting from pr- forums will take place over the next few months universities within the Lower Mississippi Delta school on up. Helping young people in these

Delta Studies Center Page 5 Arkansas State University Delta Studies Center PO Box 245 State University, AR 72467-0245 Phone: 870-910-8034 Clearinghouse Number: [Toll Free] 1-877-731-3020 Fax: 870-910-8036 Email: [email protected]

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