Community Task Force on Race Relations
Annual Report 2007 

The year of 2007 was a busy year for the Task Force.  The release of the film “Banished” brought a need for our group to focus on educating our community about the image that Harrison often carries in the outside world.  In addition, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Little Rock Central Crisis by joining the world to honor the Little Rock 9.  Here are some of our actives throughout the year:

• We hosted a group of journalist from the Uganda in conjunction with the International Visitor’s Group.

• Representatives of the Task Force spoke to more than a dozen civic clubs and organizations regarding the work of the task force, the film “Banished” and the challenges created by the image of Harrison as a racist community.

• Hosted community and church viewing of the film “Banished” and facilitated community comments.

• Continued to interview residents as part of the Oral History project.

• Did research to confirm locations of interest for a walking tour of the Black community of Harrison

• Launched a public relations campaign that included a revitalization of the SilenceNoMore.org website.

• Celebrated the 50^th anniversary of the Little Rock Crisis by running and ad in the Commemorative Program and placing posters through the community honoring the Little Rock Nine.

• Hosted a showing of the Earnest Green Story at the Lyric Theater to publicly recognize one of the heroes of the Little Rock 9.

• Worked to create advocates for our community by working with scholars and non-profit organizations doing research on racism and the changing cultural issues that lead to sundown towns, race riots and modern day racism.