A panel of Black community members discussed their experiences living in Jonesboro in the Black business district in a presentation hosted by the Arkansas State University Museum. 

Jill Kary, the museum’s curator of education, gave the presentation alongside a panel consisting of three Jonesboro natives; Roger McKinney, Leroy Johnson and Norma Farrell.  

The presentation was the result of four years of collaborative effort between Kary and McKinney, who is the general manager of The Craighead County-Jonesboro African American Cultural Center.

The panelists spoke of their memories growing up in a town where segregation forced the city’s Black residents into a neighborhood about four blocks wide between Bridge Street and Houghton Street, which was primarily where their businesses were allowed to operate. 

“My daddy shined shoes” Farrell said, “we had everything we needed or wanted.”

Despite Jonesboro having more opportunities for economic growth for its Black residents, they could not show their faces in white businesses without risking punishment.  

“At that time you couldn’t just walk into the (white) barber shop.  We, as little kids, had to go to the front door and stick our heads in until we got the attention of one of the barbers,” McKinney said.

Johnson said the city’s Black residents had to know and live by a different set of rules than its white residents.

“I told my dad, ‘everybody’s so nice’,” Johnson said. “He (Johnson’s father) said ‘well, here’s how they’re nice; you know what the rules are: play the game by the rules and people will be nice to you.’”

Johnson said members of the community looked out for one another. He said everyone in “the village” helped to raise the children and described “the village” as being “the church, the school, and all these good people who are concerned about your well being.” 

The community’s churches were also vital to its success.

“The churches were instrumental in the community, they even ventured out with the help of the white churches and did many, many things. All the children would attend the various Sunday schools, Bible classes and vacation Bible schools,” Johnson said. 

Ferrell said it was a different culture living in Jonesboro then.  She said Jonesboro’s Black community had a positive impact on her in her childhood.

“It was a good experience growing up in Jonesboro and having that all Black experience.”  Ferrell said.  “It was because of this, this color made a difference.”

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