Arkansas Delta Women’s Leadership Academy Meets in West Memphis
JONESBORO – For their fourth session out of six meetings this year, the inaugural class of the Arkansas Delta Women’s Leadership Academy (ADWLA) met this week in West Memphis. Twenty-five women from across the Delta are spending the year learning from leaders in a variety of communities across the region.
In this session, Marion Mayor Tracy Brick shared details about the community, challenges they have faced, and successes they have experienced.
Jim Jackson, director of tourism for the city of West Memphis, spoke about the ways they recruit visitors to their community.
“It is hard to promote anything in West Memphis because of the proximity to Memphis but we do what we can. We spend 50% of our budget on marketing. We remind folks on their way to Memphis that they can play there and stay here,” said Jackson.
He said they have 2,000 hotel rooms in West Memphis with a room for every budget.
In addition to working to bring dollars into the community through visitors and residents, community leaders are also working to supply the workforce.
Guest speaker Dr. Emilee Sides, associate vice chancellor for institutional planning and effectiveness at Arkansas State University Mid-South, said they work alongside industries and businesses to make sure ASU Mid-South graduates can help fit the needs.
“We know we won’t be able to make a difference in every student’s life that comes through the doors, but we can make a difference for the one that is in front of us,” added Sides.
Attendees also heard from former circuit judge John Fogleman, chairman of the Sultana Historical Preservation Society located in Marion, which tells the history and story of the Mississippi steamboat that sank in 1865, which remains the largest maritime disaster in U.S. history.
“These soldiers had survived war; they had survived two prison camps. These men were survivors,” Fogleman added.
“They were finally, at long last, going home to their mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, wives, and sweethearts. On the way home, just outside of Memphis near Marion, these men died.”
Fogelman, alongside Jeff Kollath, executive director of the Sultana Disaster Museum in Marion, shared details on fundraising and project planning. One of the pillars for program participants is to designate a project they can further the cause of or develop, and fundraising is a big step.
Each month, attendees get to meet and learn from a “be inspired” keynote speaker. For this session, Pat Keel, executive vice president, chief financial officer, and chief administrative officer for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital spoke to the group.
"As a participant in the ADWLA, we can share space with smart, gracious and determined presenters. The speakers have inspired me to return to my east Arkansas community to make it a better place to live and work,” said Lee Ann Hoskyn, director of east Arkansas operations at Express Employment Professionals.
Speaker Dr. Brookshield Laurent, who serves in many roles at NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine, including executive director for the Delta Population Health Institute, spoke about well-being, self-care and stress management.
“I loved that she asked us what our top three priorities would be if we had one year to live. This question gave me clarity on my values and goals and if I am going in the right direction. Also she asked us to compare the well-being of our finances and if they are aligned with our life goals,” said Ashtyn Lockley, crop protection sales representative for Syngenta.
The session wrapped up with speaker LaTeasha Davis, owner of Therapeutic Focus who spoke about her business that has become successful in West Memphis, her hometown.
The next session will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 17, in Pine Bluff. The group of women will graduate from the program in November. Applications for the next class will open this fall. 
Members of the Arkansas Delta Women's Leadership Academy attend their fourth session in West Memphis.
