The City of Little Rock Joins the Arkansas Psychological Association

 To Commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act

On Wednesday, July 2, 2014 the Arkansas Psychological Association will commemorate the 50^th anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.   The purpose of the event is to raise awareness of the impact of discrimination in the workplace on those groups named in the 1964 Civil Rights Act signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on July 2^nd.  A committee appointed by the Arkansas Psychological
Association Board reviewed the effect of discrimination in the workplace on race, ethnicity/nationality, gender, sexual orientation and religion supported by scientifically based psychological studies.   A public statement has been prepared that summarizes the effect of workplace discrimination on disenfranchised groups and will be read during the event. This statement also addresses the resolve of the Arkansas Psychological Association to work to create a healthy workplace environment for all populations.

The Arkansas Psychological Association is honored to announce that the American Psychological Association supports this commemoration and representatives will be present for the occasion.  Dr. Gwen Keita, Executive Director of the Public Interest Directorate and Dr. David Ballard, Assistant Executive Director for Organizational Excellence will present on the work of the American Psychological Association regarding this initiative.

The commemoration will also honor icons of civil rights advocacy from this community.  Awards will be presented to Dr. Terrence Roberts, psychologist, and one of the Little Rock Nine and Brownie Ledbetter, posthumously, for her work through the Arkansas Public Policy Panel.   The event is free and open to the public with a reception to follow the program.   The event will be held at the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, 9^th and Broadway in Little Rock from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.  Please R.S.V.P. at  ualr.edu/race-ethnicity.

The event is sponsored by the Office of Governor Mike Beebe, the City of Little Rock, Central High Historic Site, Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, Philander Smith College - Social Justice Initiative and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock - Institute on Race and Ethnicity.