Dr. Karama Neal, principal of Neal Firm, aspires to help Arkansas achieve its full potential as a place where Black people can thrive. Achieving this potential requires not only the engagement of current Black Arkansans but also the economic, social, and political involvement of Black people with ties to the state — whether it's through kinship, friendship, business, or general interest.

Facilitating this engagement and potential relocation involves helping these "potential Arkansans" 1) update their knowledge of current housing, employment, entrepreneurial, social, and other opportunities; and 2) learn from the paths and experiences of others who have moved to or returned to Arkansas and are enthusiastic about their choice and current quality of life.

Through her "Choosing Arkansas" series, Dr. Neal will share the stories of Black newcomers and returnees, highlighting their positive experiences and the opportunities that exist within the state. Her goal is to inspire others to see Arkansas as a place where they can build successful and fulfilling lives.

This is part two of our dive into urban agriculture. We’re talking about how Black farmers and growers are creating solutions to the lack of healthy food options in their communities. Be sure to listen to Episode 41 with Leroi Emerson, who serves on the board for Urban Patchwork. In this episode, we’re talking to Gabriyel El-Bey, the owner and operator of Turtle Island in Little Rock, Arkansas, which is one of Urban Patchwork’s farm partners. He’s joined by Master Gardener Laverne Davis.

Since it opened in June of 2022, Turtle Island has provided residents in the South End neighborhood of Little Rock with fresh, nutritious produce from more than 20 local growers. Education and community is at the center of it all.

This two-part episode of the Blackbelt podcast explores how Urban Patchwork, a Little Rock-based nonprofit network of farmers and backyard gardeners, aims to build a sustainable local food economy and promote interdependence among residents. In part one, we hear from LeRoi Emerson, a board member for Urban Patchwork. He joins host Adena White to talk about his passion for farming and the organization's efforts to increase access to fresh food in low-income, low-access neighborhoods. By bringing people together around food, Urban Patchwork's goal is to foster a sense of community and collaboration while enhancing both the physical health and social cohesion of Little Rock neighborhoods.

We're back in the saddle! In this episode, Adena and Kara discuss the relaunch of Blackbelt Voices as a platform for authentic storytelling. After completing a Social Impact Storytelling program at Georgetown University and a fellowship with Solutions Journalism Network, Adena has come back with fresh ideas of how Blackbelt Voices can emphasize the importance of authenticity, belonging, and connection in storytelling.

Adena and Kara talk to writer and self-proclaimed Wypipologist Michael Harriot. The South Carolina native is well known for his wit, cultural commentary, and gift of mixing humor and historical context. In this episode, Michael breaks down the discipline of Wypipology, Black humor, and the story behind his coining of the phrase "invited to the cookout." (Yes, he's the one who came up with it.)

Michael is the host of the recently launched TheGrio Daily podcast, produced by theGrio Black Podcast Network. He has also authored a book, "Black AF History: The Un-Whitewashed Story of America," which is available for pre-order now.

Follow @BlackbeltVoices on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Share your thoughts about this episode and all things Black + Southern on social media using the hashtag #BlackbeltVoices.

CREDITS AND SPECIAL THANKS

Edited and produced by: Katrina Dupins and Prentice Dupins Jr.

Music: Prentice Dupins Jr.

Logo Design: Kara Darling Creative

The Blackbelt Voices podcast is a production of Blackbelt Media LLC.

La'Twana Scott, the owner of Sweet Mama T's in El Dorado, Arkansas, developed a reputation as a great cook at an early age. The El Dorado native enjoys cooking for people and got her start from helping her mom as a child.

Eventually, with the help of Southern Bancorp, Scott found the perfect location for her restaurant. Find out more about Sweet Mama T's by visiting her Facebook page.

Season 3 of Blackbelt Voices is brought to you by Southern Bancorp.

Southern Bancorp is one of America’s oldest and largest community development financial institutions, founded to provide underserved communities with access to capital and the wealth-building tools needed to grow. On the web at BankSouthern.com and SouthernPartners.org.

CONNECT WITH BLACKBELT VOICES

Follow @BlackbeltVoices on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Share your thoughts about this episode and all things Black + Southern on social media using the hashtag #BlackbeltVoices.

On episode 37 of Blackbelt Voices, we continue our conversation about Black food, this time focusing on barbecue. Guest Michael “Mike D” De Los Santos of North Carolina walks us through his journey of becoming an expert on the topic, which eventually led to him creating his own sauces and rubs and selling through his company, Mike D’s.

Mike’s journey to becoming a small business owner has uplifting and heartbreaking turns, including the loss of his infant son Aaron, which he wrote about in a book he authored called “My Heart Warrior: Living With HLHS Through A Father’s Eyes.”

Mike and his business was also featured on Discovery Channel’s “I Quit.”

Season 3 of Blackbelt Voices is brought to you by Southern Bancorp.

Southern Bancorp is one of America’s oldest and largest community development financial institutions, founded to provide underserved communities with access to capital and the wealth-building tools needed to grow. On the web at BankSouthern.com and SouthernPartners.org.

CONNECT WITH BLACKBELT VOICES

Follow @BlackbeltVoices on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Share your thoughts about this episode and all things Black + Southern on social media using the hashtag #BlackbeltVoices.

CREDITS AND SPECIAL THANKS

Edited and produced by: Katrina Dupins and Prentice Dupins Jr.

Music: Prentice Dupins Jr.

Logo Design: Kara Darling Creative

The Blackbelt Voices podcast is a production of

Blackbelt Media LLC.

In episode 36 of Blackbelt Voices, Adena and Kara continue the conversation about Black food culture – this time from an agricultural angle. Our guest, Gerald Harris, along with his partners Derek Beasley and Gabrielle E.W. Carter (who was featured in the Netflix series High on the Hog as well as The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal)started Tall Grass Food Box, a community-supported agricultural model (CSA).

Gerald told us about a Tuskegee professor named Booker T. Whatley who many call the godfather of CSA. He is best known for his regenerative farming system, in combination with the direct-marketing concept of a customer harvesting operation known as pick-your-own. Dr. Whatley has been said to be 30 years ahead of his time. Lots of experts in the field still refer to his 10 commandments for small farmers.

Gerald also pointed to the 1920 Census, which shows the number of Black farmers in America Peaked at 949,889. In 2019 there were just over 45,000 Black farmers according to figures from the US Department of Agriculture.

Tall Grass was born out of the pandemic. So Gerald says they’ve learned a lot about the CSA business space, who they could trust, and how to help. They have been expanding. Some other positive outcomes include they now have a refrigerated vehicle. Those funds were raised by their community and people who wanted to see them succeed.

Thanks to Gerald for being a guest on our podcast. Check out Tall Grass on Facebook or Instagram or send them a note via email: hello@tallgrassnc.com.

Season 3 of Blackbelt Voices is brought to you by Southern Bancorp.

Southern Bancorp is one of America’s oldest and largest community development financial institutions, founded to provide underserved communities with access to capital and the wealth-building tools needed to grow. On the web at BankSouthern.com and SouthernPartners.org.

CONNECT WITH BLACKBELT VOICES

Follow @BlackbeltVoices on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Share your thoughts about this episode and all things Black + Southern on social media using the hashtag #BlackbeltVoices.

CREDITS AND SPECIAL THANKS

Edited and produced by: Katrina Dupins and Prentice Dupins Jr.

Music: Prentice Dupins Jr.

Logo Design: Kara Darling Creative

The Blackbelt Voices podcast is a production of

Blackbelt Media LLC.