In 1986, Edward J. Perkins became the first black ambassador assigned to the Republic of South Africa, where he was an ardent opponent of apartheid. Throughout his 24 year career, he also served as a U.S. foreign ambassador to Ghana, Liberia, the United Nations, and Australia.

Katherine Stinson was a trailblazing stunt pilot, flight instructor, skilled mechanic, Postal Service airmail pilot, World War I Red Cross worker, and accomplished Pueblo-style architect. She was the fourth woman in U.S history to become a licensed pilot, the first woman to master the loop-the-loop flying maneuver, and the first person to skywrite at night.

Arkansas native Jerry Louis Jones was an actor, screenwriter, and playwright best known for his collaboration with fellow Arkansan Rudy...

Pine Bluff boasts a rich history of numerous film and television shows created, starred in, developed and/or inspired by Pine Bluff...

Pine Bluff native, Dr. George Edmund Haynes  was a pioneering sociologist, social worker, educator, policy expert, and co-founder and...

Willie Roaf is a former professional football player who played for nine seasons with the New Orleans Saints and four seasons with the...

During his 11-year career with the Green Bay Packers, Donald Hutson revolutionized the NFL. He was one of the first players to use pass...

On June 21, 1902, Father John Henry Dorsey became the second African American educated and ordained priest in the United States.  From...

On April 26, 2025, Basil Shabazz was one of the six initial inductees and All-Time Greats chosen by the Bill Carr Museum & Jefferson...

Bill Carr, a two time Olympic gold medalist from Pine Bluff, Arkansas, never lost a single race during his collegiate and Olympic career. 

During his nineteen-year career, Pine Bluff native Torii Hunter was considered one of Major League Baseball’s biggest stars. His 353...

Rickey Henderson, known affectionately as the “Man of Steal” was the greatest leadoff hitter and base stealer in Major League Baseball...

On October 7, 1950, Senator John McClennan was the main speaker at Pine Bluff’s Lady Liberty statue dedication ceremony where the Kiwanis...

From 1944 to the mid 1960s, Pine Bluff native and jazz trumpeter Bitsy Mullins performed with numerous orchestras across the country,...

In August 2024, the historic Elm Grove Baptist Church, the first African American church in Arkansas built by slaves in 1843, marked its...

During Pine Bluff’s heyday, Second Avenue served as the local theater district, attracting hundreds of movie patrons and theater goers....

The Delta swamps served as safe havens for enslaved runaways. Not only did they find refuge, but the Arkansas bayous, marshes and woods...

From 1957 to 1967, Pine Bluff native and jazz musician Les Spann appeared on over 78 top jazz sessions, recorded with jazz greats like...

In the early 1940s to 1950s, Gathright's Saturday Night Jamboree was billed as “One of the South’s Greatest Radio Shows.” Much like...

Louis Natheaux was a Hollywood actor who appeared in over 150 films. Throughout his career, he appeared in films alongside many of...