HOPE – A Black History Month panel discussion set for Feb. 18 at the Hope High School library will highlight the impact of Black music in Hope and Southwest Arkansas.

“Perspectives on a Sound: A Conversation About Black Music in Hope” will be explored in a discussion by panelists representing various aspects of musical performance and music education.

The panel discussion will be moderated by Hope Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Bobby Hart.

Panelists will include Richard Ware, Hope High School student and Bobcat bands member; Sandra Jones, retired Hope Public Schools vocal music teacher; Jeff Madlock, former Hope Public Schools bands director, jazz/contemporary music performer, and technology coordinator for Hope Public Schools; and Mark Keith, 38-year Southwest Arkansas broadcast radio veteran, former KXAR radio programmer, KHOA Hope radio operator-owner, KZHE radio Magnolia generalist, co-publisher of Hope/Prescott News and publisher of the Little River Journal in Ashdown, and bluegrass/gospel music performer.

The discussion will explore questions by Hope High School students and others relative to Black music in Southwest Arkansas and American culture; local connections to Black music genres; historical aspects of the impact of Blacks from Hope and Southwest Arkansas in popular music; and, the value of Black music in public education.

Sponsored by the Hope Public Schools during Black History Month, the event will be streamed via Facebook in a socially-distanced setting and will begin at 6 p.m.