Census Summit: Get Out the Count
We Came Together, Now Let’s Get Out the Count in Arkansas
Together, we will ensure a complete and accurate 2020 U.S. Census count for Arkansas. At the Arkansas Counts Census Summit local complete count committee members, elected officials, nonprofit leaders, employers, and engaged residents came together to learn and share how to ensure every Arkansas resident is counted, especially hard-to-count populations. We discussed census-related:
- Communication
- Canvassing
- Immigrant community engagement
- Accessibility sites
- 30-day countdown outreach
More information and resources are available below.
Census Summit Introduction
Census Summit Agenda
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Welcome and Opening Remarks
About Mayor George McGill
Mayor McGill was elected mayor of Fort Smith on August 14, 2018, and was the first African American to ever run for mayor of the city. He previously served in the Arkansas House of Representatives, District 78, Fort Smith, Arkansas where he also served as Deputy Pro Tempora.
Fort Smith Mayor George McGill welcomed Summit attendees and made it clear: Arkansas counts, now let’s Get Out the Count for the 2020 U.S. Census.
We Count: Inspiring Voices to Engage
Rev. Cory Anderson re-affirmed why the census matters in Arkansas. Census data will be used to bring nearly a billion dollars to communities across the state over the next decade. This is Arkansans’ opportunity to come together and achieve the monumental goal of an accurate and representative count.
About Rev. Cory Anderson
Cory is the chief innovation officer at the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation. He is a relentless collaborator. He builds and maintains local and national partnerships, launches bold initiatives, and strategizes to ensure the Foundation pursues equity for all Arkansans.
Census 2020 Facts
About Alison Wright
Alison Wright started working at the Arkansas Economic Development Institute after graduating from Texas A&M with a Master’s degree in Statistics. She enjoys looking at numbers and spends most of her day playing with data.
Alison Wright walked through what data tell us about the hard-to-count communities and what Arkansas can gain or lose based on the accuracy of the 2020 U.S. Census count.
Getting Out the Count in Arkansas: Panel Discussion
Community leaders from across Arkansas described how residents are using innovation and engagement strategies to Get Out the Count in a panel discussion moderated by Abby Hughes Holsclaw, Arkansas Impact Philanthropy director.
About Dr. Steve Cole
Dr. Cole is the chancellor of the Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas. He began his career in education at Cossatot Community College in 1997 as a member of the business faculty.
About Jurena Storm
Jurena Storm communications and training manager for City of Fort Smith. A compassionate community leader . . . a concerned and engaged community member, Jurena is passionate about restoring and unifying her community.
About Steve Nipper
Steve Nipper is the chair of the City of Magnolia. Active in his community, he also serves as a member of the city council and the Magnolia Arts Center board, and he is vice president of the Magnolia Public School Foundation.
About Abby Hughes Holsclaw (moderator)
Abby Hughes Holsclaw is the director of Arkansas Impact Philanthropy. She is an independent consultant and founder of Proper Southern Strategies. She is focused on helping organizations build capacity and strategically accomplish their mission. Abby is also a Senior Director for the Asset Funders Network and the state coordinator for the Arkansas Asset Funders Network.
Comments from Governor Asa Hutchinson and Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott, Jr.
Count Down to Census 2020: Getting Ready
Arkansas experts shared how to Get Out the Count. We encourage you to reach out to learn more and receive resources.
Reaching Hard-to-Count Residents through Outreach/Canvassing
Mireya Reith
Arkansas United, Executive Director – director@arkansasunited.org
Rosa Velázquez
Arkansas United, Lead Advocate – advocacy@arkansasunited.org
Kymara Seals
Arkansas Public Policy Panel, Policy Director – kymara@arpanel.org
Creating Census Support Sites
Kymara Seals
Arkansas State Library, Deputy Director – jennifer.chilcoat@arkansas.gov
Promoting Action through Marketing and Communications
Hilary Trudell
The Yarn, Founder and Executive Director – hjtrudell@theyarnstorytelling.com
Emily Gassman
Communications Director, Arkansas Foodbank – egassman@arkansasfoodbank.org
Reaching Kids under Five and Engaging Local Legislators
Rebecca Zimmermann
Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families – rzimmermann@aradvocates.org
Partners
Sponsors
