Your City, Your Voice

Civic Saturday

Hear from local leaders, connect with neighbors, and discover ways to get involved in the community through music, poetry, conversation, hands-on activities, and a free lunch.

Join us for Civic Saturday: Our City, Our Voice at UA Little Rock Downtown! This welcoming community gathering brings people together through music, poetry, conversation, and shared experiences to explore local government and the issues that matter close to home.

Registration is not required but is encouraged to help us plan and accommodate dietary preferences and restrictions.

We’ll hear a Civic Saturday sermon from Melissa Mitchell, Assistant Director of the Department of Community Programs for the City of Little Rock, and a poetry share from Osyrus Bolly. We’ll also enjoy live music and opportunities to hear from community members, share experiences, and reflect on how local government connects to our everyday lives.

Throughout the gathering, you’ll have opportunities to participate in hands-on activities, learn more about your local community, and explore ways to engage with local government and get involved.

We’ll wrap up with a free lunch and time to connect with others, ask questions, share ideas, and continue the conversation.

No experience or special knowledge is needed, just bring yourself! Whether you’re interested in local government, curious about Civic Saturday, or simply looking for a welcoming way to connect with your community, we’d love to have you join us and bring a friend.

About the Program

All abilities are welcome. To request ASL interpretation or other accommodations, call 501.918.3069 or email hzbinden@cals.org seven business weekdays before a program. Struggling to find transportation and want to join us? Reach out to organizer Danielle Afsordeh, dtafsordeh@cals.org, for help. 

Free parking is available in CALS Parking areas and will be validated at the program.
 
Civic Saturday is a programming series presented in partnership with Get Loud Arkansas with support from the Urban Libraries Council Civic Makers Lab for Adults. Inspired by the feeling of coming together in a supportive community, Civic Saturday is a relaxed community gathering exploring civic participation beyond the polls featuring live music, an inspiring speaker, interactive activities, and a free lunch.

UA Little Rock Downtown fosters community connections and provides space to exchange, debate, and implement ideas that contribute to building a more just and equitable world.
 
Get Loud Arkansas is a statewide, nonpartisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Get Loud Arkansas’ mission is to register new voters and increase voter turnout by expanding access to voting, providing civic education and empowering all communities to use their vote to shape the future of Arkansas. Get Loud Arkansas may take positions on or advocate with regard to public policy issues pertinent to its mission and consistent with the requirements of applicable federal and state law. Get Loud Arkansas conducts all activities in a nonpartisan manner. Get Loud Arkansas may acknowledge elected officials who support us, but we do not endorse, support, or oppose candidates for public office, any party, or issue. 
 
Civic Makers Lab for Adults is a grant and peer-learning program that equips librarians to serve as civic learning facilitators and empowers young adults ages 18-24 to be active contributors to their communities. Through experiential civic learning (the process of acquiring civic knowledge and skills through action), libraries will build new pathways for young adults into civic life, rooted in curiosity, connection, and community problem-solving, rather than partisanship.