“The Most Southern Place on Earth”:

Helena’s Past, Present & Future

Historian James C. Cobb called the Mississippi Delta “the most southern place on earth.” This region along both sides of the river tells a story that is both distinctive and representative of the larger American story. Rich fertile soil made the Delta the ideal place for cotton cultivation. Wealthy cotton planters bought enslaved black people in droves to work the land. This combination of race and labor has left its mark on the region. Crushing generational poverty, the cultural cornerstone of Blues music, complex and meaningful religious traditions, and so much more all form a place that cannot be explained, it must be experienced.

On February 16, join us for a tour of historical sites in Helena-West Helena, the county seat and largest town in Phillips County, Arkansas. We’ll make stops at Civil War battle sites, memorials, cemeteries, and churches. Along the way you’ll learn how the past impacts the present, how Together For Hope Arkansas is working towards the future, and why people of faith need to understand the history of a place like the Delta in order to work for justice today.

Our guides will be husband and wife duo, Jemar Tisby and Janee Tisby.

We’ll depart 2BC at 8am and return around 4. The cost will be minimal. If you’re interested in going, please contact Chris Ellis at cellis@2bclr.com