Fort Smith, Ark. – Black History at the Bakery returns on Wednesday, February 19, bringing together students, educators, historians, and community leaders for a full day of learning, dialogue, and reflection at the Bakery District.
The morning program runs 9:00 a.m. to noon, as the Fort Smith Round Table buses in Golden Knights and Jewels from its mentorship program. Elementary students will tour the Bakery District, hear from local leaders, and enjoy a special screening of Kidstorically Speaking, a fresh, fun, and unpredictable take on history told entirely by kids. The all-kid cast brings major historical moments to life through imagination, humor, and youthful perspective.
“The energy the kids bring to the Bakery District makes this one of my favorite yearly events,” says Dr. Brandon Chase Goldsmith, executive director of the Fort Smith International Film Festival. “With the state of the world, I feel the two evening panels provide a much-needed historical perspective and also a hope for the future as we learn from the NAACP Young Adult Committee’s discussion, Black History in the Making.”
The public portion of the program begins at 5:00 p.m. with the Fort Smith Round Table–sponsored panel, “The Road to Desegregation.” Vera Shepherd and other panelists will discuss the landmark Supreme Court case Rogers v. Paul (1965), in which Corine Rogers sued the Fort Smith Public School District over its unconstitutional, transfer-based desegregation plan. The Court ruled that the “free transfer” policy for high school students was invalid, addressing both student assignment and racially segregated faculty.
“This Supreme Court case paved the way for kids of all colors to go to the same school and be privileged to the same education,” explains Herbert McGill, Fort Smith Round Table.
At 6:00 p.m., the NAACP Young Adult Committee will host “Black History in the Making,” a panel creating space for honest conversation, shared experiences, and thoughtful dialogue about impact, growth, and building stronger communities.
Panelists include:
Ebony Tyson – Program Coordinator at Spectrum Independence Living and Organizational Leadership student, empowering neurodiverse young adults to build independence and life skills.
Johnny Magee – Physical therapy student at ACHE and entrepreneur advocating for diversity in healthcare through his work with Minorities in Therapy.
LaTavia “Tay” Rollinson – 7th grade math teacher at Sonora Middle School and entrepreneur dedicated to inspiring the next generation of leaders to dream big.
The panel is co-sponsored by Minorities in Therapy at ACHE, an organization dedicated to supporting underrepresented students and professionals in physical and occupational therapy while advancing diversity, inclusion, and equity in healthcare.
“Black History in the Making recognizes Black History Month by uplifting emerging leaders whose work is driving meaningful change today,” says Karissa Cole, NAACP Young Adult Committee. “This discussion underscores the importance of dialogue, representation, and action in building stronger, more inclusive communities.”
The evening concludes at 7:45 p.m. with a screening of Mike Day’s award-winning documentary, Colbert: All Students Can Learn. Nearly 70 years after Fayetteville Public Schools’ integration, the film chronicles the legacy of Dr. John L. Colbert, the city’s first African American superintendent, whose impact is cemented through a school named in his honor.
Media Contacts
Brandon Goldsmith – brandon@fortsmithfilm.com
Karissa Cole - kdcole22@gmail.com
Herbert McGill - (479) 434-7332
