Celebrating African American History and Heritage with Pat Johnson

Art Works Podcast

Community Activist, Organizer and 2024 National Heritage Fellow Pat Johnson, a pillar of the Pocahontas, Arkansas community, shares her work preserving local history and fostering community fellowship through the Eddie Mae Herron Center. She founded the Center in the very building where she once attended a segregated one-room school, transforming it into a cornerstone for celebrating Black culture and heritage. Named in honor of her beloved teacher, Miss Eddie Mae Herron, the Center stands as a testament to the enduring impact of education and community memory and solidarity. She is a dedicated and tireless advocate of remembering, researching, and highlighting Black history and material culture in Randolph County.

Throughout the episode, Johnson discusses the rich history of the Eddie Mae Herron Center, her personal experiences growing up and living in Pocahontas, and the impact of her efforts on the community. She highlights the significance of Juneteenth celebrations at the Center, the restoration of historical Black cemeteries, and her outreach to the Marshallese community. Johnson shares her vision, challenges, and triumphs in preserving African American history and fostering a sense of unity and pride within the community.