This event has sold out, but don't worry! You can view the lecture on Facebook Live. Just find Arkansas Black Hall of Fame and tune in to our livestream at 6pm, sharp!

Every February, in recognition of Black History Month, an Arkansas Black Hall of Fame inductee is featured in our Distinguished Laureate Lecture Series, where they are allowed the opportunity to share their wisdom and experiences with peers and future leaders. This year’s lecture will feature 2014 honoree, The Honorable Olly Neal, Jr.

Join us Thursday, February 18 at 6 p.m. for this FREE virtual event on Zoom Webinar!

About the Speaker:

Olly Neal, Jr. was the first Black district prosecuting attorney in Arkansas. He was elected circuit court judge for the First Judicial District in 1993 and was later appointed to the Arkansas Court of Appeals where he served until 2007. Prior to these achievements in his professional career, Neal was a civil rights advocate in the predominately Black city of Marianna, Arkansas. He served as administrator of the Lee County Cooperative Clinic and while there, worked to provide African Americans access to medical care. In 1971, Neal led a boycott of the white business district in Marianna to force owners to provide African Americans full and equal access to services. He details these events and more in his memoir, Outspoken: The Olly Neal Story. Neal will be sharing his experiences in civil rights advocacy as he moved through judicial ranks.