News Release

Central High School announces partner program on literary art

News Release Date: February 22, 2024 Central High School NHS is partnering with Say It Loud! Readers and Writers and author Brentom Jackson for Books and Literary Art Can Save Boys: Intentionality is Imperative, a free public literary event to promote the importance of boys participating in literary arts projects and programs.


The program will take place at 10:00 a.m. CST on Saturday, February 24 in the General Studies Building 2, Room 206, on the campus of Arkansas Baptist College (1600 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, Little Rock, AR 72202).


The organizers/presenters of the program are:

• Brentom Jackson, author of the recently released children’s book Elijah’s Easter Suit, award-winning performance poet, classically trained actor and Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor
• Patrick M. Oliver, writer, best-selling author, publisher, and literary consultant dedicated to promoting reading and writing as tools of empowerment

The first 30 boys will receive free copies of these two books: Elijah’s Easter Suit (Jackson) and the Ananse Journal (Oliver).


Jackson and Oliver have spent several years working with boys and young men at educational institutions, community-based organizations, festivals, and public libraries. The goal of their collaboration is getting communities around the United States to be intentional about developing and implementing cultural relevant and empowering literary arts activities and to host events that feature authors, illustrators, publishers, writers, media outlets, and literary enthusiasts.


“In an age where cell phones and social media are so popular reading and writing take a back seat. Creating literacy-based programming is a great way to get Black boys excited about the power of reading and writing.” - David C. Miller, Ph.D. author of Gabe & His Green Thumb.


For more information or to RSVP ahead of the program, contact Patrick Oliver by phone at [phone] or by email at [e-mail]