PRESS RELEASE

Ouachita County Training School and Greater Bradley District Celebrate Black History Month

Bearden, AR (January 29, 2026) – The Ouachita County Training School (OCTS) and Greater Bradley District Association (GBDA) will host their annual Black History Month program on Saturday, February 7, at 6:00 p.m. at the Word Family Church’s Family Life Center located at 277 North Street in Camden, Arkansas.

The evening will honor men from GBDA churches who have demonstrated exceptional service in their communities. Each GBDA-affiliated church has selected an honoree to be recognized during the event and included in a commemorative booklet.

“This Black History program honors our past by investing in our future by preserving a formerly all-Black school through the collective strength, faith, and generosity of our Black churches,” said OCTS president Virginia Ashley. “We also pay tribute to the men whose courage in 1971 led them to see possibilities where others saw the past, giving OCTS a new life as the headquarters for GBDA.”

The keynote speaker is Charles Harper, CEO of World Won Development, based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Harper, a Bearden native and Langston University graduate, has been a major figure in the rebuilding of Black Wall Street. He was also featured in LeBron James’ Emmy-winning documentary, Dreamland: The Burning of Black Wall Street.

Guests will enjoy dinner and musical entertainment. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased in advance or at the door. For more information, call (501) 590-8718.