Special Programs

A statue on the grounds at Central High entitled "United" depicts two figures with raised arms holding rings that almost completely interlock - a symbolic reminder of the work still to be done to ensure educational equality.

NPS Photo

National Park Service Speaker Series

Hosted by Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site, the National Park Service Speaker Series is an inspiring initiative aimed at fostering awareness and dialogue about critical issues of equality, justice, and human rights. Featuring a diverse lineup of esteemed speakers, including activists, scholars, and leaders from various fields, the series will a platform for learning powerful stories and gaining historical insights. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in thought-provoking conversations on historical and contemporary civil rights challenges, emphasizing the ongoing struggle for social justice and the importance of collective action in creating a more equitable society.


Beginning in August 2024, each event in the series is designed to educate and motivate audiences, encouraging them to reflect on their roles in advancing civil rights. Through these compelling presentations, participants will gain a deeper understanding of systemic injustices and the intersectionality of civil rights issues. By fostering an environment of learning and activism, the National Park Service Speaker Series aims to empower individuals to become advocates for change and champions of human dignity.


Little Rock Central High School NHS is committed to the accessibility of our programming and facilities. If you have accessibility-related accommoation need for the program, please contact Brian Schwieger, Accessibility Coordinator, by email {[e-mail] (with Accessibility in the subject line)} or by phone at [phone].


Each of the programs in the National Park Service Speaker Series is free and open to the public; below are the dates, times and the corresponding speakers and topics. All programs will be held at the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site visitor center located at 2120 W. Daisy L. Gatson Bates Drive; more programs will be added at a later date:

 

Upcoming Presenters in the NPS Speaker Series

 

Dr. Brian Mitchell

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

Saturday, November 9, 2024
11:00 a.m. CST
Dr. Brian Mitchell - "A Conversation on the Elaine Massacre – Why It Happened, Why It's Hidden, and Where Do We Go From Here"

Dr. Brian Mitchell, a distinguished scholar specializing in the Reconstruction era following the Civil War, is the Director of Research and Interpretation at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, Illinois. In his role, Dr. Mitchell leads a team of historians dedicated to curating and analyzing the institution’s extensive collection of over 50,000 Abraham Lincoln documents and millions of records detailing Illinois’ diverse history. He is also a key interpretive voice for the museum, tasked with exploring, sharing, and contextualizing unique historical narratives through innovative exhibits and public programs.

Previously, Dr. Mitchell taught for 16 years at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where he progressed from an adjunct instructor to a tenure-track assistant professor. His published works include “Blood in Their Eyes: The Elaine Massacre of 1919,” co-authored with Grif Stockley, and the award-winning graphic novel “Monumental: Oscar Dunn and His Radical Fight in Reconstruction Louisiana.”

Originally from Chicago and raised in New Orleans, Dr. Mitchell holds two master’s degrees and a doctorate from the University of New Orleans. He also served as an investigator for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, earning recognition as Arkansas’ Federal Investigator of the Year.

Dr. Mitchell’s research frequently sheds light on people and events previously overlooked or suppressed. His scholarship on the Elaine Massacre led to the installation of memorial markers acknowledging the brutal violence inflicted on Black sharecroppers in eastern Arkansas. His work also uncovered that one of the massacre’s victims, a Black World War I veteran, had been wrongfully denied a Purple Heart. This discovery contributed to a legislative push mandating reviews of cases where minorities who served in World War I may have been improperly denied Medals of Honor.

 

Previous presenters in the NPS Speaker Series

 

Saturday, August 17, 2024
Dr. John Kirk - "A Conversation on the Civil Rights Movement in Little Rock after the Central High Crisis"


Saturday, September 14, 2024
Joseph McGill, Jr. - "A Conversation on the Social History of Our Built Environment"

Saturday, October 26, 2024
Postponed for the Funeral of Thelma Mothershed Wair, a member of the Little Rock Nine