Emma Willis Discusses Preserving Black History in Northwest Arkansas

I am Northwest Arkansas

About the Show:

"All of these stories are intertwined and connected, and they bring up these very interesting stories about what was it like to be black in Northwest Arkansas."

• Emma Willis

About the Guest:

Emma Willis is the founder of Impact Period and a representative for NWA Black Heritage. She is passionate about preserving African American history and culture in Northwest Arkansas. Emma is currently spearheading an effort to establish the first Black Fayetteville Historic District in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Her dedication to this cause involves extensive research, community engagement, and advocacy, aiming to recognize and celebrate the contributions of African Americans in the region.

Episode Summary:

In this enriching episode of the I am Northwest Arkansas podcast, host Randy Wilburn sits down with Emma Willis to discuss an extraordinary project aimed at establishing the first Black Historic District in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Emma, the founder of Impact Period and a leading representative of the NWA Black Heritage organization, shares her journey working on this historic project. She delves into the rich, yet under-acknowledged, history of African Americans in Northwest Arkansas, the significance of preserving this history, and the community-driven efforts behind the project.

Emma highlights the challenges of getting community buy-in, understanding the local and state laws, and dealing with the logistical intricacies of preserving historically significant yet often disregarded areas. Through discussions about the historical context—spanning from the era of slavery to the Great Migration and civil rights activism—Emma educates listeners on the deep roots and significant contributions of African Americans in the area. She also explores the concept of Afrofuturism, envisioning a future where African American history is celebrated and preserved in innovative and community-centered ways.

Key Takeaways:

• Historic Preservation Efforts: Emma emphasizes the importance of preserving the rich history of African Americans in Northwest Arkansas and the creation of the first Black Fayetteville Historic District.
• Community Engagement: The episode explores how Emma and her team engage with the community, educating residents about the significance and process of creating a historic district.
• Challenges in Implementation: From legal hurdles to community buy-in and logistical challenges, the episode sheds light on the complexities involved in historic preservation projects.
• Economic and Cultural Impact: Establishing the historic district aims to bring educational, economic, and cultural benefits, helping to create a diverse and inclusive community.
• Afrofuturism Vision: Emma shares her vision of an Afrofuturism museum and the broader future she envisions for celebrating African American history and culture.

All this and more on this episode of the I Am Northwest Arkansas podcast.

Important Links and Mentions on the Show*

Email Emma Willis

Website NWA Black Heritage

NWA Black Heritage on Instagram

NWA Black Heritage on Facebook

NWA Black Heritage on LinkedIn

Tune in to KUAF 91.3 FM to listen to the I Am Northwest Arkansas podcast on Ozarks at Large every Tuesday at 12 Noon and 7 PM CST. And, check us out on their podcast as well.

This episode is sponsored by*

Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"

Northwest Arkansas Council - "Life Works Here!"

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*Note: some of the resources mentioned may be affiliate links. This means we get paid a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.

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Mentioned in this episode:

NWA Daily Version 2

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IANWA Signature Bank Commercial GH

Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"

NWA Council Commercials Skills Training (revised)

Northwest Arkansas Council - "Life Works Here!"