Henderson to host MLK banquet Monday

ARKADELPHIA — Henderson State University will host a banquet to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day at 6 p.m. Monday in Henderson’s Garrison Center Grand Ballroom. The event will include dinner, entertainment and inspirational thoughts provided by Henderson State students and local community leaders.

Sherman Tate, president and CEO of Tate & Associates Management, will be the keynote speaker. Tate, who also serves as chair of the Southern Bancorp Bank Board of Directors, was recently inducted into the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame.

Tate joined Arkla Gas in 1980 as personnel director for the Arkansas Division and quickly rose through the ranks to become vice president of distribution operations. He continued his corporate career with ALLTEL and Verizon before creating his own management consulting firm.

After he graduated from high school in 1963, Tate enrolled at Philander Smith College in Little Rock and participated in four days of sit-ins that peacefully integrated the cafeteria at the state Capitol. After graduation, he worked for a consulting firm and later became a personnel analyst with the state Office of Personnel Management.

Tate then went to work for the Legislative Council as its first personnel director. In 1977, he was hired to head the state Office of Personnel Management.

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online or at the Henderson State cashier’s window. The event is free for Henderson students.