Simmons Bank names new director
Simmons Bank announced the addition of Leasa Melton as community division director of payment product and sales strategy. She will oversee the development and implementation of payment products, including merchant services, debit card in partnership with Debit Operations, and credit card needs for Consumer and Business Banking.
Melton holds a degree in business administration and management from Northern Oklahoma College, according to a news release.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Leasa to our community banking team at Simmons Bank,” said Chris White, EVP chief community banking officer. “With 20 years of banking experience, Leasa is a seasoned professional who brings a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and leadership skills that will greatly contribute to the success of Simmons Bank.”
Previously, Melton was vice president of product strategy for a regional financial services company based in Oklahoma. There she led product visions, pricing, and innovation for consumer and small business deposits. She also served in a variety of capacities in retail banking and started her career as a Bank Secrecy Act and fraud specialist.
TOPPS to give away food
TOPPS (Targeting Our People’s Priorities with Service), 1000 Townsend Park Drive, will hold its monthly food distribution at 10 a.m. March 11. The distribution will follow a first-come, first-served drive-through method.
Proof of ID must be presented to receive a food box. Only one box will be provided per household, according to a news release.
Sponsors of this event include TOPPS, Canaan Christian Center, Tyson Foods, Pine Bluff Community Foundation, Calvary Baptist Church, and Zion North West Arkansas Church. Details: TOPPS, (870) 850-6011. Annette Howard Dove is founder/director of TOPPS Inc.
City to honor transit staff
National Transit Employee Appreciation Day will be held March 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Services Center, 211 W. Third Ave.
The event will include resources about careers and family services. Refreshments will be served.
Participants will include Pine Bluff Transit, Southeast Arkansas Transportation (SEAT), and the city of Pine Bluff, according to a flier. Details: Marolyn Farris, (870) 543-5130 or [email protected].
Black Family Wellness Expo set
The Pine Bluff Chapter of The Links Inc. will hold the third annual Black Family Wellness Expo from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. March 15 at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff’s health, physical education and recreation complex. The event is free and open to everyone in the community.
The UAPB Health Services Department has partnered with The Links. This project seeks to enhance access to preventative screenings, promote adolescent mental health awareness, address challenges affecting seniors and caregivers, and confront other health disparities impacting the Black community’s well-being and quality of life, according to a news release.
The local event is a part of The Links’ nationwide Black Family Wellness Expos being held across the country March 15 and aims to leverage its entire membership in the effort to improve outcomes for Black families.
Some of the issues the expo will address include mental health awareness, kidney disease, heart health, organ donation, cancer prevention and screening, aging, suicide signs and prevention, substance abuse, entrepreneurship, tax preparation, home ownership, voter registration, and estate planning.
The Links Inc. is an international, not-for-profit corporation, established in 1946. The membership consists of more than 17,000 professional women of African descent in 299 chapters in 41 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, and the United Kingdom.
The Pine Bluff Chapter of The Links Inc. was chartered in 1969. Carla M. Martin is the current president. Tenita Shannon-Gragg is the Black Family Wellness Expo chair. Trammell Howell and Jacqueline Pryor are co-chairs. Details: http://www.linksinc.org or the chapter’s Facebook page.
Arts Advocacy Day at Capitol set
Arts Advocacy Day at the state Capitol will be held Monday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, according to a news release.
This event brings together students, artists, and arts organizations to advocate for the creative economy in the state.
Highlights include:
Interactive booths featuring ARTx3 Campus of Pine Bluff; Play It Again, Arkansas!, The Rep, Creative Arkansas Community Hub & Exchange, Arkansas Arts Council;
A student art showcase from Little Rock Central High School;
Live performances by students, including the Arkansas School for the Blind Choir and Hot Springs World Class High School Dancers.
Legislators and arts advocates will share their support for the arts at a press conference at 11 a.m. Details: www.arkansansforthearts.org.
