LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — In a powerful convergence of faith, art, and public service, this year’s Arkansas Black Hall of Fame class includes three distinguished individuals who share more than just a spotlight— they share a community street, a passion for uplift, and lives of deep commitment.

The Honorable Marion A. Humphrey, Sr., Archie Hearne, III, M.D., and Garbo Watson Hearne will join the Class of 2025 as inductees.

Other class inductees include Linda Pondexter Chesterfield, a revered state senator & education icon; Cleon Aurelius Flowers, Sr., M.D. (posthumous), a distinguished physician & civic leader; Charlie Nelms, Ph.D., an education executive & author; and Latriece Watkins, a business executive & chief merchandising officer at Walmart U.S.

Though their callings may differ, their stories intersect in service, sacrifice, and a persistent drive to build a legacy.

A native of Pine Bluff, Humphrey is the grandson of a man born into slavery in 1861. Over his distinguished legal and civic career, he has held many roles— municipal judge, circuit judge, assistant city attorney, assistant attorney general, and more. 

From January 1, 1993, to December 31, 2010, he served as a Circuit Judge for Pulaski and Perry counties. He had earlier served as a Little Rock municipal judge from 1989 to 1992. 

Before that, he practiced law in Little Rock and Pine Bluff, and even worked in Washington, D.C., as a research assistant in the office of Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm and as an intern in Senator J. William Fulbright’s office.

“We serve in different capacities, but all of us have served to do called to do something, to help someone else, and to, in my opinion, give God the glory for it,” Humphrey said.

Just across the street, at 1001 Wright Avenue, Dr. Archie and Garbo Hearne have spent nearly 40 years merging art, health, and culture. Together, they built Pyramid Art, Books & Custom Framing and Hearne Fine Art, serving as advocates for education, wellness, and the preservation of African-American art.

“To be honored by your peers is really humbling, and I think that it’s another nod to the creatives and the importance of the arts and our culture and how we matter in Arkansas, we matter in the United States, we matter in the world,” Garbo Hearne said.

Dr. Hearne, a San Francisco native, began serving Arkansas patients in 1983. Garbo, an El Dorado native and nurse practitioner, joined him in both life and mission, with their work representing the deep intersection of service, creativity, and faith.

In 1988, they opened Pyramid Gallery at 12th and Fair Park. When that location quickly outgrew its space, they moved downtown in 1989, establishing Pyramid Gallery and Books, a community hub for art shows, meetings, book signings, and cultural events. 

In 1997, they moved to the Museum Center in the River Market District and expanded into Pyramid Art, Books & Custom Framing, and Hearne Fine Art. In 2010, they acquired property in the historic Dunbar community. 

They opened a joint facility housing Pyramid Art Books and Custom Framing, Hearne Fine Art, and Hearne Family Practice, combining wellness, art, and education under one roof.

“We have stood on the backs of our ancestors, that we didn’t do this alone,” Dr. Hearne described. “We saw people of previous generations, and then we’re just continuing that. So we hope that the next generation sees this and sees the benefits of health, the benefits of mental health, the benefits of art and literature, and what that means to them as a whole.”

Their shared legacy along Wright Avenue and beyond reflects a larger story of Black excellence, community empowerment, and the transformative power of purpose.

The 31st Annual Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place Saturday, October 11, at the Robinson Center Performance Hall in Little Rock. Tickets can be purchased at arkansasblackhalloffame.org or through Ticketmaster.