City of Harrison Participates in National MLK Commission Conference

The City of Harrison was a part of a national conference through the MLK Commission.

The full release from the city is below:

The Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission hosted a national MLK Commission Conference in Little Rock from Thursday through Saturday, Aug. 27-29.

Harrison Mayor Jerry Jackson and the Harrison Task Force on Race Relations were invited to participate.

Jackson prepared a small booklet and titled it, “The Truth About the ‘Most Racist Town in America’” which addresses the misconception about the city. The information was well received, and several said they planned to accept the Mayor’s invitation to visit Harrison and experience it for themselves. 

Jackson spoke on Thursday and was a keynote speaker on Saturday, alongside Martin Luther King Jr.'s nephew, Isaac Newton Farris, and an Indian AI software developer who spoke about Mahatma Gandhi’s enduring influence on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights movement.

 Executive Director Dr. Dushun Scarbrough presented Mayor Jackson and the City of Harrison with the 2026 AMLKC Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Torch of Nonviolence Award. “In recognition of your dedication to peace, nonviolence and human dignity that illuminates the path toward understanding, reconciliation and lasting social change in the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.”

Secretary of State Cole Jester recognized the partnership between the citizens of the City of Harrison, the Race Relations Task Force and the Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission, a 15-year partnership. The certificate stated, “Through a steadfast commitment to fostering understanding, respect and collaboration, the City of Harrison has helped advance Dr. King Jr.’s legacy of unity, reconciliation and community building, inspiring positive change across Arkansas.”

The youth choir from the Samaritan Hill Missionary Baptist Church provided music for the morning, and their pastor, Bobby J. Acklin, was honored for the church’s 156th anniversary.

The president of Shorter College, Dr. Jeffery Norfleet, welcomed the commission to the school’s campus and reminded the crowd of what is really important. He asked them to consider,  “What are you doing for others?”