<description>Recorded inside the Central Arkansas Library System’s newly renovated Main Library in downtown Little Rock, hosts Adena White and Kara Wilkins sit down with CALS executive director Nate Coulter, board president Dr. Karama Neal, and chief communications and community engagement officer Tameka Lee to talk about the library’s transformation, its impact on the community, and the enduring power of public spaces. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
advertising.
</description>

Recorded inside the Central Arkansas Library System’s newly renovated Main Library in downtown Little Rock, hosts Adena White and Kara Wilkins sit down with CALS executive director Nate Coulter, board president Dr. Karama Neal, and chief communications and community engagement officer Tameka Lee to talk about the library’s transformation, its impact on the community, and the enduring power of public spaces.

Central Arkansas Library System Starts a New Chapter

Choosing Arkansas with Dr. Karama Neal shares stories of those who chose Arkansas as their home. In this episode, Dr. Neal talks to Shamim Okolloh. Shamim was born in Nairobi, Kenya, and came to the U.S. at age 19 for college. Unsure about staying or returning home, she moved to Little Rock to attend the Clinton School of Public Service. She fell in love with the state and has found a supportive community in Arkansas, balancing her career in banking and her family life. We hope these conversations inspire you to learn more about professional, educational, social and other opportunities in Arkansas, and soon, choose Arkansas for yourself! Send us feedback at choosingAR@gmail.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

<description>&lt;p&gt;Choosing Arkansas with Dr. Karama Neal shares stories of those who chose Arkansas as their home. In this episode, Dr. Neal talks to Shamim Okolloh. Shamim was born in Nairobi, Kenya, and came to the U.S. at age 19 for college. Unsure about staying or returning home, she moved to Little Rock to attend the Clinton School of Public Service. She fell in love with the state and has found a supportive community in Arkansas, balancing her career in banking and her family life. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We hope these conversations inspire you to learn more about professional, educational, social and other opportunities in Arkansas, and soon, choose Arkansas for yourself! &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Send us feedback at choosingAR@gmail.com.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br/&gt; &lt;p&gt;Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See &lt;a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com"&gt;pcm.adswizz.com&lt;/a&gt; for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Choosing Arkansas with Dr. Karama Neal shares stories of those who chose Arkansas as their home. In this episode, Dr. Neal talks to Shamim Okolloh, a native of Nairobi, Kenya, who moved to the U.S. at age 19 for college and later made her way to Arkansas.

Choosing AR 103 with Dr. Karama Neal: Shamim Okolloh's Journey from Nairobi to Little Rock

Choosing Arkansas with Dr. Karama Neal shares stories of those who chose Arkansas as their home. In this episode, Dr. Neal talks to Jean Block, the CEO of the Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority.  We hope these conversations inspire you to learn more about professional, educational, social and other opportunities in Arkansas, and soon, choose Arkansas for yourself! Send us feedback at choosingAR@gmail.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

<description>&lt;p&gt;Choosing Arkansas with Dr. Karama Neal shares stories of those who chose Arkansas as their home. In this episode, Dr. Neal talks to Jean Block, the CEO of the Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority.  &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We hope these conversations inspire you to learn more about professional, educational, social and other opportunities in Arkansas, and soon, choose Arkansas for yourself! &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Send us feedback at choosingAR@gmail.com.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br/&gt; &lt;p&gt;Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See &lt;a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com"&gt;pcm.adswizz.com&lt;/a&gt; for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Choosing Arkansas with Dr. Karama Neal shares stories of those who chose Arkansas as their home. In this episode, Dr. Neal talks to Jean Block, the CEO of the Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority. 



Choosing AR 102 with Dr. Karama Neal: California native Jean Block builds a life in Arkansas

Choosing Arkansas with Dr. Karama Neal shares stories of those who chose Arkansas as their home. We want to help you make the Natural State your natural choice. On today's episode, we talk to Samantha Evans about what brought her back to her home state after living away for many years. We hope these conversations inspire you to learn more about professional, educational, social and other opportunities in Arkansas, and soon, choose Arkansas for yourself! Send us feedback at choosingAR@gmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

<description>&lt;p&gt;Choosing Arkansas with Dr. Karama Neal shares stories of those who chose Arkansas as their home. We want to help you make the Natural State your natural choice. On today's episode, we talk to Samantha Evans about what brought her back to her home state after living away for many years. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We hope these conversations inspire you to learn more about professional, educational, social and other opportunities in Arkansas, and soon, choose Arkansas for yourself! &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Send us feedback at choosingAR@gmail.com&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br/&gt; &lt;p&gt;Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See &lt;a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com"&gt;pcm.adswizz.com&lt;/a&gt; for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Choosing Arkansas with Dr. Karama Neal shares stories of those who chose Arkansas as their home. We want to help you make the Natural State your natural choice. On today's episode, we talk to Samantha Evans about what brought her back to her home state after living away for many years. 

Choosing AR 101 with Dr. Karama Neal: Welcome Home, Samantha Evans

Dr. Karama Neal, principal of Neal Firm, aspires to help Arkansas achieve its full potential as a place where Black people can thrive. Achieving this potential requires not only the engagement of current Black Arkansans but also the economic, social, and political involvement of Black people with ties to the state — whether it's through kinship, friendship, business, or general interest.Facilitating this engagement and potential relocation involves helping these "potential Arkansans" 1) update their knowledge of current housing, employment, entrepreneurial, social, and other opportunities; and 2) learn from the paths and experiences of others who have moved to or returned to Arkansas and are enthusiastic about their choice and current quality of life.Through her "Choosing Arkansas" series, Dr. Neal will share the stories of Black newcomers and returnees, highlighting their positive experiences and the opportunities that exist within the state. Her goal is to inspire others to see Arkansas as a place where they can build successful and fulfilling lives. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

<description>&lt;p&gt;Dr. Karama Neal, principal of Neal Firm, aspires to help Arkansas achieve its full potential as a place where Black people can thrive. Achieving this potential requires not only the engagement of current Black Arkansans but also the economic, social, and political involvement of Black people with ties to the state — whether it's through kinship, friendship, business, or general interest.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Facilitating this engagement and potential relocation involves helping these "potential Arkansans" 1) update their knowledge of current housing, employment, entrepreneurial, social, and other opportunities; and 2) learn from the paths and experiences of others who have moved to or returned to Arkansas and are enthusiastic about their choice and current quality of life.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Through her "Choosing Arkansas" series, Dr. Neal will share the stories of Black newcomers and returnees, highlighting their positive experiences and the opportunities that exist within the state. Her goal is to inspire others to see Arkansas as a place where they can build successful and fulfilling lives.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br/&gt; &lt;p&gt;Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See &lt;a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com"&gt;pcm.adswizz.com&lt;/a&gt; for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Dr. Karama Neal, principal of Neal Firm, aspires to help Arkansas achieve its full potential as a place where Black people can thrive. Through her "Choosing Arkansas" series, Dr. Neal will share the stories of Black newcomers and returnees, highlighting their positive experiences and the opportunities that exist within the state. Her goal is to inspire others to see Arkansas as a place where they can build successful and fulfilling lives.

Introducing "Choosing Arkansas" with Dr. Karama Neal

Blackbelt Voices is rooted in Black Southern traditions of storytelling, solidarity, and resistance. Through conversations with waymakers, culture keepers, truth tellers, and bridge builders, we surface stories that challenge dominant narratives about the South. These stories shape our understanding of ourselves, each other, and the places we call home.

Blackbelt Voices is a production of Blackbelt Media and has been recognized by Apple Podcasts, Oprah Daily, and Vanity Fair.

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