Location:
12th & Louisiana
Little Rock

Phone:
(501) 661-9903

EMOBA - Museum of Black Arkansans

EMOBA began as a dream. Ernie Dodson is the founder and director of the museum of black Arkansans and performing arts center. Her dream is to provide a true representation of the contributions to Arkansas' heritage and future by the Afro-American community.

EMOBA's mission is to showcase past generations of black Arkansans with the hope that those contributions will serve as an inspirational instrument in keeping the heritage alive to promote pride and unity in all communities throughout Arkansas.

EMOBA's goal is to educate all Arkansans about the significant role Afro-Americans have played in the cultural development of our state and to spread that education beyond the state's borders for all America.

To accomplish the mission and the goal, EMOBA will:
—Develop a Black Hall of Fame to house memorabilia of famous Black Arkansans with audio and video displays highlighting their achievements and contributions to society.
—Recognize "First Blacks" and great achievers in sports, politics, business, medicine, entertainment, etc.
—Exhibit artifacts of Afro-American culture.
—Provide facilities for training and educating our youth and adults in the arts.
—Develop a performing arts theater for promoting local and national performances, and to seek out, develop, and showcase the vast array of talent within our state.

The dream began in March 1993 when EMOBA was incorporated as a 501(c) (3), not-for-profit organization. The dream began to materialize in September 1993 with the purchase of the historic First Baptist Church to serve as the future home of the museum and performing arts center. Much work has been done; much more is needed.

In addition to community support and involvement, financial contributions are needed to help further the dream and the vision of EMOBA. Checks made payable to EMOBA may be sent to:

EMOBA
P. O. Box 46754
Little Rock, AR 72214

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