Lisa Hicks-Gilbert
MISSISSIPPI DELTA, 2022 - 2023
Lisa Hicks-Gilbert is a social justice activist, writer, and poet in her native Elaine, Arkansas, where she works to combat education, health, environmental, digital, food, and economic-related injustices throughout the Arkansas Delta. She is also the founder of Descendants of the Elaine Massacre of 1919 (DOEM1919), and now Mayor of Elaine, AR!
Congratulations AAW Artist Lisa Hicks-Gilbert on being elected Mayor of Elaine, Arkansas!
Lisa launched the "Silent No More" Multi-Media Exhibit on the anniversary of the Elaine Massacre, September 30, 2022, in Elaine, Arkansas. This two-day event drew more by more than 200 attendees, including more than 100 students. The "SILENT NO MORE" Exhibit is currently being expanded into a traveling exhibit with a 2024 launch date to educate the masses about the Elaine Massacre, and to bring the untold stories of the victims, survivors and descendants out of the silence.
CULTURE HUB
Delta Commons Group, headquartered in Clarksdale, Mississippi, is a collaborative that promotes and facilitates the development of expanded opportunities for residents and others throughout the Delta region of Mississippi and Arkansas. DCG works to offer affordable high-quality places to live, work and create, in order to preserve and enjoy the rich heritage of the region. The Delta Commons Group includes artists, cultural workers, policymakers, advocates, developers, trainers and organizers who collectively engage in building and maintaining an inclusive local economy rooted in productive and sustainable community ownership. DCG strives to help people meet their needs, elevate the quality of life in community and make meaning together.
SOCIAL IMPACT INITIATIVE
Lee Street Community Center was formed after the schools closed in 2006. George Andrew Gibson grew up in Elaine and wanted to give back with a community center in Elaine. He was introduced to Patricia Kienzle from Fayetteville, who had been coming to do activities with children for a few years.
A portable two room school building was donated to the organization. Divine Deliverance Christian Ministries in Elaine and Rolling Hills Baptist Church in Fayettevile raised over $6,000 to have it moved from Helena to Elaine. Several groups worked on the building to make it usable.
The building is located in the middle of low income housing. Students began watching for a vehicle to park in the grass. An undefined relay system filled the building.
In 2013, it was discovered that the students enjoyed painting birdhouses. The idea arose to brighten the town with birdhouses. A building was purchased downtown that could be the Birdhouse Headquarters and a place for visitors to stay. A resident had a vacant lot next door he wanted to sell. We received a grant to make it into a park honoring Scipio Jones. The theme is: Recognizing the Past, With Hope for the Future, 1919-2019 and Beyond.
Lee Street Community Center has provided both educational and recreational activities on Lee Street and on Main Street. Efforts continue to teach the past, while giving students hope for the future. We have recently received additional space to expand our outreach and reorganize birdhouses for display.