KASU to Function Pictures Exhibit for Black History Month

JONESBORO – KASU 91.9 FM, the general public media service of Arkansas State University, presents
“We Shall Overcome,” a photograph exhibit honoring the historical past of Civil Rights Trail websites
by way of the lens of famend photographer Art Meripol and celebrating Black History
Month.  

The occasion will start at 5:30 and conclude at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 18, within the
foyer of the Humanities and Social Sciences constructing on campus. The United Voices
Gospel Choir will carry out.

KASU is presenting this photograph exhibit in partnership with the Office of the Provost,
College of Liberal Arts and Communication and Arisa Health, collectively bringing 25 pictures
of those important websites to the general public. The reception is sponsored by the Division
of Access and Institutional Engagement.

Attendees can view pictures, together with Little Rock Central High School, the Edmund Pettus
Bridge in Selma, Ala., and different heritage places.   

“KASU takes nice delight in bringing these vital historic images to the neighborhood
and area,” stated Mark Smith, KASU station supervisor. “Since the exhibit opened within the
summer season of 2025, the response has been constructive and welcoming. Meripol’s work is past
evaluate, and attendees will discover themselves engaged in vital historical past and stellar
craftsmanship. The exhibit is visually immersive, and we’re thrilled the United Voices
Gospel Choir might be becoming a member of us.”

Photographer Art Meripol initially took these pictures for the National Addy award-winning
e-book, “The Official United States Civil Rights Trail: What Happened Here Changed the
World,” commissioned by Lee Sentell. It’s one among Meripol’s favourite initiatives.   

After acquiring his school diploma, Meripol labored as a information photographer for 13 years.
From the previous Arkansas Gazette, he joined the employees of Southern Living journal as
senior journey photographer.

The United Voices Gospel Choir was based in 1969, fostering a wealthy legacy rooted
in service, religion and inclusion at A-State. During a time when Black college students on campus
sought help, fellowship and illustration, the Black Students Association (BSA)
was established to fulfill these wants. Soon after, Robbia Keglar, the primary choir director,
helped discovered the BSA Choir to uplift college students spiritually and create an area for worship
by way of music.

In the early Eighties, the choir acknowledged the rising significance of inclusion on the
campus. To higher replicate its mission of welcoming all college students, no matter race
or non secular background, the BSA Choir was renamed the United Voices Gospel Choir.

The choir’s mission is to serve the college and the encircling neighborhood in tune,
spirit and fact, fostering unity whereas uplifting folks. United Voices celebrated
its fifty fifth anniversary in 2024.

Over the years, the choir has carried out at quite a few campus and neighborhood occasions, together with
the nationally televised 1998 Westside School Shooting Memorial Service. United Voices
continues to welcome people of all races, religions and backgrounds, serving
as a vessel to encourage religion, connection, and progress all through the faculty journey. 

For extra data, please contact LaDawn Fuhr at lfuhr@AState.edu or 870-972-2709. 

KASU is a 100,000-watt FM radio station, housed on the campus of Arkansas State University,
and is the general public media service of the college. KASU is Arkansas’ oldest non-commercial
public radio station, working since 1957. The station has been an NPR member station
since 1971. In addition to regionally produced information and music packages, KASU pays to
obtain programming from NPR, American Public Media and different sources.