Ouachita County Training School and The Greater Bradley District Association Host 2025 Black History Month Gala

Bearden, AR (February 5, 2025) – Ouachita Country Training School (OCTS) and The Greater Bradley District Association will host their annual Black History Month Program, “Honoring A Legacy of Achievement,” on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in Bearden, Arkansas, at the First Assembly of God Family Life Center located at 400 1st Northeast Street. The sold-out event will highlight community leaders who have made lasting and significant contributions.

“Black History Month is an ideal time to celebrate the excellence on display in our community every day,” said Pearlie Newton, OCTS executive director. “We are thrilled to present a slate of honorees who have spent their lives achieving and serving. They represent the legacy of triumph that defines African American culture.”

The keynote speaker for the event will be Pastor Iverson Jackson, who is the Executive Director of the Arkansas Fair Housing Commission. Jackson serves as the Senior Pastor at Zoe Bible Church in Little Rock. He is also a retired Lieutenant Colonel.

OCTS/GBDA will present the 2025 ‘Unsung Hero’ award to seven distinguished leaders. They are former Sparkman Mayor Rickey Craig, Entrepreneur Diann Epps, Dr. Kenneth Lambert, former Ouachita County Tax Assessor Debbie Lambert, Arkansas State School Board President Doris Parham, former Bearden NAACP President Pastor J.C. Owens, and Bishop Chester Thompson.

“Our committee spent numerous hours reviewing the award submissions,” said Virginia Ashley, president of OCTS/GBDA. “We believe our community will be inspired by the example these honorees have set.”

Proceeds from the Black History Month Gala will be used for the renovation and preservation of the OCTS/GBDA campus. To learn more about the renovation efforts, click here.