Our History
The Humble Beginnings of Cotton Plant Club
Here’s a glimpse into the history of our club. The Cotton Plant Club was established in August 1994 under the leadership of our first president, Jerome Farmer. Initially, officers were appointed due to our small membership. Our inaugural meeting took place at Horace Mann Junior High, and subsequent gatherings were held in the homes of a few members.
Eventually, we discovered that we could host meetings in public libraries, starting at Dee Brown Library on Baseline and later moving to the downtown library on Scott Street.
Our first fundraiser involved raffling off a small television donated by Dorothy and Lewis Neal.
The club sponsored a trip for Joe and Elaine Jackson to attend one of the Chicago Balls, aiming to learn more about their ball process and fundraising strategies. Our first Ball occurred in April 1995 at the Adult Center on 12th Street, featuring Dr. JC Babbs and Mrs. LaVern Feaster as our inaugural speakers.
President's Message
I am deeply honored to be your newly elected President, and I want to express my heartfelt gratitude first of all to my grandparents, William and Julius Brunson, who are the very foundation of who I am today. My mother, Emma Brunson and husband, Andra Ben, Sr. for always having my back. I am also grateful for the Presidents who came before me. Most importantly, I am in awe of the incredible members who have tirelessly given back to the people and community of Cotton Plant, Arkansas, for over 30 years. Your dedication is truly inspiring. I also want to extend my sincere appreciation to the Board, officers, and both new and returning members who, I am confident, will carry forward the legacy of their predecessors with grace and dedication.
My heart is unwaveringly committed to serving others. I believe in the power of community and that it takes many hands working together towards the same goal to be effective and successful. The Cotton Plant Club is ours and we must all work together to build the vision. I cannot do this job alone and I hope to empower and
support others as we work towards our goals. Together, we can achieve great things. We are Better Together.
Past
Presidents
Mr. Jerome Famer
Mr. Larry Slater
Mr. Larry Slater
Mr. Anthony Hatchett
History Continued
Subsequently, we decided to relocate the Ball to the Brinkley Convention Center and rescheduled it for Labor Day weekend. This adjustment significantly increased attendance, as many former residents of Cotton Plant returned home during this time. Notably, this period also coincided with the historic election of Cotton Plant’s first Black mayor, Mr. Jerome Conley Sr.
Over the years, the Club has undertaken numerous initiatives, including the Back to School Supply Giveaway, providing turkeys and dinners for senior citizens, awarding scholarships to high school seniors, and making monetary donations to the city. These efforts represent just a few of the impactful contributions the Club has made over the years.
Three decades later, the Club continues to thrive, fully committed to serving Cotton Plant while reaching out to other communities where descendants of former residents now reside, reminding everyone of the importance of remembering Cotton Plant.
In 2025, we marked another significant milestone with the election of our first female president, Dr. Ruby Brunson-Benwhose leadership is expected to guide us with both wisdom and compassion.