UA - Pulaski Tech to host MLK panel discussion on inequity in mental health featuring Elizabeth Eckford of the Little Rock Nine

College to host a discussion on inequity in mental health University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College will host a panel discussion the topic of inequity in mental health on Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 11 a.m. at CHARTS Theater on the UA-PTC Main Campus in North Little Rock. The event honors the life and legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Panelists include Elizabeth Eckford of the Little Rock Nine; Dr. Patricia Griffen, Psychologist; and UA-PTC Instructor of Sociology Mary Kate Terrell. UA-PTC Assistant Teaching Professor of Computer Science Mayo Johnson will moderate the discussion and the following Q&A session. The program is open to the public as well as all students, faculty and staff. The event ushers in Black History month, which is observed throughout February.

About the panelist:

Elizabeth Eckford is a civil rights leader whose experience as one of the Little Rock Nine in 1957 placed her at the center of a national crisis at 14 years of age as Arkansas governor Orval Faubus, in defiance of a federal court order, called out the Arkansas National Guard to prevent the Nine from integrating Little Rock Central High School. Among her many awards are the prestigious Spingarn Medal by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1958. In 1999, President Bill Clinton presented the nation’s highest civilian award, the Congressional Gold Medal, to the members of the Little Rock Nine. In 2018, Eckford released a book for young readers, The Worst First Day: Bullied while Desegregating Central High, co-authored with Dr. Eurydice Stanley and Grace Stanley and featuring artwork by Rachel Gibson. Later in 2018, the Elizabeth Eckford Commemorative Bench was dedicated at the corner of Park and 16th streets, and she received the Community Truth Teller Award from the Arkansas Community Institute.

Dr. Patricia L. Griffen is a practicing clinical psychologist. She has held positions as director of Psychological Services for Adolescent Inpatient Treatment for the Arkansas Mental Health Services Division, director of South Pulaski Services for Central Arkansas Mental Health Services, and psychological consultant for Restore Drug, Chemical Dependency, and Eating Disorder Program at Riverview Hospital and St. Vincent Medical Infirmary. Currently, she is past president of the Arkansas Psychological Association, former chair of the Arkansas Psychological Association’s Diversity Committee, past president and founding member of the Arkansas Association of Black Psychology Professionals, and a member of the Association of Black Psychologists. She was appointed and served a five-year term on the Arkansas Board of Examiners in Psychology. Dr. Griffen has been involved in social advocacy work in the field of mental health at the state and federal levels. Dr. Griffen works in private practice in Little Rock. Dr. Griffen has been the recipient of several grants to host diversity conferences, racial awareness conferences, and a conference for parenting African American children. Her areas of interest include race relations, multicultural psychology, cultural diversity, cultural competency, trauma in the African American community, and women’s issues.

Mary Kate Terrell is an Assistant Teaching Professor of sociology and anthropology at the University of Arkansas - Pulaski Tech. She teaches anthropology, sociology, geography, and gender studies. Mary Kate’s focus is socio-cultural anthropogeography concentrating on the intersectionality of gender, religion, and social status in the South. Her degrees include an MLA from Henderson State University and MA from Arkansas State University. Her 16 years at the College includes a time as the director of records. Mary Kate holds certificates in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace and Workplace & Personal Wellness Foundations from the University of South Florida MUMA College of Business. She has credentials in Effective College Teaching and Teaching for Equitable Learning from the Association for College and University Educators (ACUE).

Mayo Johnson is a native of Little Rock. He is Assistant Professor of Computer Science at the University of Arkansas - Pulaski Tech where he teaches Information Security and has worked as a Faculty member since 2001. He graduated from Hall High School and has a Bachelors Degree in Computer Information Systems from the University of Central Arkansas and a Masters Degree in Computer Information Management from Webster University. He worked at Acxiom Corporation as System Analyst/Administrator and worked as Technology Consultant in London, UK where he also studied International Information Management at Regents University. He is a member of the UA-PTC Cultural Diversity and Community Involvement Committee. He is a former Chair of the Little Rock Racial and Cultural Diversity Commission (RCDC) and World Fest. He also has moderated a series of Community Forums on Race and Culture during the 50th Anniversary of the desegregation of Little Rock Central High School in 2007. He collaborated with Dr. Michael Eric Dyson as moderator for the UA-PTC Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. virtual event in 2021 themed Equity and Social Justice in the Pandemic

MARCH 15th @ NOON 

"Chat & Chew" book club to feature LR Nine author Author Elizabeth Eckford will attend and contribute to the Chat & Chew virtual book club discussion of her book, The Worst First Day: Bullied While Desegregating Central High by Elizabeth Eckford, Eurydice Stanley, and Grace Stanley at noon on Wednesday, March 15. If you would like to attend, you must RSVP here to access this book club session. The Teams link will be emailed to you prior to the discussion. UA-PTC Ottenheimer Library has several copies of the book available to borrow. The Worst First Day is a captivating autobiography that introduces the next generation to Civil Rights icon Elizabeth Eckford, a modern-day heroine and member of the Little Rock Nine. The Worst First Day shares her experiences behind the scenes during the Central High crisis as a 15-year-old student. On Sept. 4, 1957 Elizabeth was blocked from entering Central High by a group of enraged segregationists and armed Arkansas National Guard soldiers. A powerful photo taken of her enduring an attack at Central became one of the most iconic images of the 20th century as it effectively portrayed the racial tension of the era. In this epic tale, Elizabeth’s historical insights are shared completely in verse, illuminated by captivating images that will both educate and inspire readers of all ages. Her story is an incredible testament of tenacity and resilience. Chat & Chew will take place virtually through Microsoft Teams Access to this discussion via Microsoft Teams is available at the following: Microsoft Teams - Chat & Chew Discussion Information for downloading and using Microsoft Teams is available at www.uaptc.edu/it-services/students#teams.