Brunson earns elected official award
Pine Bluff City Council Member LaTisha Brunson will be honored with the 2024 Public Elected Official of the Year Award by the Arkansas Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.
The chapter will recognize honorees at the 2024 NASW Awards Luncheon at 11 a.m. March 15 at the Little Rock Marriott during the agency's annual conference.
The Public Elected Official award honors an outstanding member of the community, whose accomplishments exemplify the values and mission of professional social work. The recipient is not a social worker, according to Holly Barron, executive director of the NASW Arkansas Chapter.
"The accomplishments for receiving this award include taking risks for better social services, demonstrating outstanding leadership, enlisting public support for improved social services, contributing to the public's knowledge of social work and social problems, and reflecting the professional ethics of social work as defined in the NASW Code of Ethics," according to the news release.
Brunson serves her alma mater, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, as the assistant human resources director. Brunson has more than 23 years of public service experience.
She began serving as a council member in January 2023, according to the release.
"Within her first six months, Ms. Brunson organized the ground-breaking 'Friends of the First Ward' Event, a remarkable initiative that celebrated local small businesses, showcasing their products and services to nearly 200 attendees. This event not only promoted economic growth but also garnered media attention, showcasing her innovative approach to supporting local entrepreneurs," according to the release.
She has also been recognized for addressing food insecurity, where she's collaborated with state agencies such as the Minority Health Commission and the Arkansas Food Desert Network to bring a much-needed grocery store to her ward. Her collaboration with Oasis Fresh Market in Tulsa, Okla., and the Federal Trade Commission showcases her determination to revitalize Pine Bluff, according to the release.
She has promoted legislation to halt the proliferation of "small box" stores in Ward 1, emphasizing the importance of equal access to quality food options for all residents.
Brunson also has a Positive Progress Plan, focusing on creating inclusive play areas and equipment at city parks that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, ensuring every child has equal opportunities for recreation.
"Her advocacy stems from a deep personal connection, as her 14-year-old daughter has cerebral palsy," according to the release.
The NASW award winners also include Greg Adams – Lifetime Achievement; Steven Jennings – Social Worker of the Year; Teri Ann Bearden – Master of Social Work Student of the Year; Keleigh Adams – Bachelor of Social Work Student of the Year; Chief Mike Reynolds – Public Citizen of the Year; and Cocoon Collective – Agency of the Year. Details: www.naswar.org.
Secretary of State staff to visit PB
Arkansas Secretary of State John Thurston's outreach staff will host a mobile office at Pine Bluff from 10 a.m. to noon today at the Jefferson County Courthouse.
The staff will offer free notary public service and provide information about programs offered by the Secretary of State office.
The office offers voter registration, business services, notary training and other services, according to a news release. Details: Carolyn Ann Smith, community outreach coordinator, (501) 952-5303.
Lunch and Learn event set
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Business Support Incubator, 615 S. Main St., will hold a Lunch and Learn Toolbox Tuesday event.
On Feb. 20, from noon to 1 p.m., the topic will be Access to Capital: How to Fund or Expand Your Small Business. The sessions aim to empower small businesses and the entrepreneurial spirit in the Black community to thrive, according to a news release.
Chamber accepts Expo booth reservations
The Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce is accepting reservations for Business Expo booths. "We're Wild About Pine Bluff" is the theme of Business Expo 2024 slated for May 2 at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. The booth fee is $250 for members, and $360 for non-members.
The Business Expo Breakfast is served at 7:30 a.m. and the program begins at 8 a.m. Tickets are $25 each or $300 for a table for eight people.
The trade show opens at the convention center with a Business VIP Hour from 9-10 a.m. and it's open to public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
"This year's theme, 'We're Wild About Pine Bluff,' celebrates the beautiful landscape of the Delta region from the piney timbers to the winding water of Bayou Bartholomew, the world's longest bayou," according to the Chamber newsletter.
"The Chamber is excited to announce Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Director Austin Booth as our Business Expo Breakfast keynote speaker. Director Booth will touch on outdoor recreation and its massive impact on Arkansas' economy," according to the newsletter.
Details: Chamber Director Jennifer Kline at [email protected] or (870) 535-0110.