Dr. Brian Mitchell to present 'A Conversation on the Elaine Massacre'

News Release Date:
October 31, 2024

Contact:Brian Schwieger, 501-396-3006

Hosted by Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site, the National Park Service Speaker Series is an inspiring initiative aimed at fostering awareness and dialogue about critical issues of equality, justice, and human rights. Featuring a diverse lineup of esteemed speakers, including activists, scholars, and leaders from various fields, the series will a platform for learning powerful stories and historical insights. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in thought-provoking conversations on historical and contemporary civil rights challenges, emphasizing the ongoing struggle for social justice and the importance of collective action in creating a more equitable society.

Each event in the series is meticulously designed to educate and motivate audiences, encouraging them to reflect on their roles in advancing civil rights. Through these compelling presentations, participants will gain a deeper understanding of systemic injustices and the intersectionality of civil rights issues. By fostering an environment of learning and activism, the National Park Service Speaker Series aims to empower individuals to become advocates for change and champions of human dignity.

All of the programs in the National Park Service Speaker Series will be free and open to the public; this program will be held at the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site visitor center located at 2120 W. Daisy L. Gatson Bates Drive; more programs will be added at a later date:

Saturday, November 9, 2024
11:00 a.m. CST
Dr. Brian Mitchell - "A Conversation on the Elaine Massacre - Why It Happened, Why It's Hidden, and Where do We Go From Here"

Dr. Brian Mitchell, a distinguished scholar specializing in the Reconstruction era following the Civil War, is the the Director of Research and Interpretation at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, Illinois. In his role, Dr. Mitchell leads a team of historians dedicated to curating and analyzing the institution's extensive collection of over 50,000 Abraham Lincoln documents and millions of records detailing Illinois' diverse history. He is also a key interpretive voice for the museum, tasked with exploring, sharing, and contextualizing unique historical narratives through innovative exhibits and public programs.

Previously, Dr. Mitchell taught for 16 years at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where he progressed from an adjunct instructor to a tenure-track assistant professor. His published works include "Blood in Their Eyes: The Elaine Massacre of 1919," co-authored with Grif Stockley, and the award-winning graphic novel "Monumental: Oscar Dunn and His Radical Fight in Reconstruction Louisiana."

Originally from Chicago and raised in New Orleans, Dr. Mitchell holds two master's degrees and a doctorate from the University of New Orleans. He also served as an investigator for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, earning recognition as Arkansas' Federal Investigator of the Year.

Dr. Mitchell's research frequently sheds light on people and events previously overlooked or suppressed. His scholarship on the Elaine Massacre led to the installation of memorial markers acknowledging the brutal violence inflicted on Black sharecroppers in eastern Arkansas. His work also uncovered that one of the massacre's victims, a Black World War I veteran, had been wrongfully denied a Purple Heart. This discovery contributed to a legislative push mandating reviews of cases where minorities who served in World War I may have been improperly denied Medals of Honor.

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