History and Legacy of the Dunbar Historic Neighborhood Association

The Dunbar Historic Neighborhood Association (DHNA) is rooted in the pride and preservation of the first African-American community in Little Rock, Arkansas. In 2012, the Dunbar Neighborhood received its historic distinction, a milestone the community learned about in 2013. This discovery inspired the creation of the Paul Laurence Dunbar Community Festival, an annual celebration of the neighborhood’s rich cultural and historical significance.

Recognizing the importance of preserving the legacy of this iconic district, three community leaders—Angel Burt, Garbo Hearne, and Angela Madison Shaw – founded the DHNA and established it as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The first board meeting took place in 2019, shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic shifted community dynamics.Despite the challenges, the DHNA has been a driving force for advocacy, education, and celebration.

Our Achievements

The DHNA has played an instrumental role in numerous initiatives that uplift the community and preserve its legacy,
including:

  • Hosting community festivals for over a decade, bringing people together to celebrate the neighborhood’s history and culture.
  • Organizing political forums and community breakfasts to give residents a voice in local leadership and policies.
  • Advocating for the renaming of the Dunbar Middle Magnet School auditorium to the Florence Price Auditorium
    in honor of the renowned African-American composer.
  • Collaborating with the Little Rock School District to propose and secure the
    rehabilitation of the Florence Price Auditorium by WER Architects.

Partnerships and Community Impact

The DHNA thrives through partnerships with local schools, organizations, and churches, including:

  • Philander Smith University, Arkansas Baptist College, Uncle T’s Grocery, Gibbs Elementary, Dunbar Middle Magnet, MLK Elementary, Central High School, Dunbar Gardens, and the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center.
  • Strong collaborations with churches such as Gaines Street Baptist Church and others across the neighborhood.
  • Partnerships with the Dunbar Community Center and the Sue Cowan Williams Library, both integral to
    community engagement and education.

Honoring Our Legacy

The DHNA actively preserves the legacy of historic icons from the Dunbar community, such as:

  • Attorney Scipio A. Jones, who fought landmark civil rights cases.
  • Composer Florence Price, the first African-American woman to have her symphony performed by a major
    orchestra.
  • William Grant Still, a prominent composer.
  • Judge Mifflin Gibbs, the first African-American judge in the United States.
  • Herbert Denton, the first Black Wall Street journalist.
  • Tuskegee Airman pilot trainer Milton Crenshaw, and many others.

Through historical markers and guided tours, DHNA brings these stories to life. Recent accomplishments include the installation of a historical marker at Dr. G.Thornton’s home (1420 W. 15th Street), solidifying the neighborhood’s significance in local and national history.