Our monthly speaker series brings newsmakers, policymakers, and seasoned political observers together for a behind-the-scenes look at the most pressing issues facing Arkansas.  These lunch lectures raise money for the Arkansas Times Investigative Journalism Project. 100% of the proceeds will support expanding our newsroom, ensuring our capacity to hold leaders accountable and keep Arkansans informed. 

In-person tickets are $100 and include lunch in the private dining room at the Copper Grill.  Seating is limited , so we highly recommend securing your seats sooner rather than later as this series is known to fill up quickly. Lunch is served at 11:30   with food provided by the amazing chefs at Copper Grill. Our guest speaker will begin at 12 pm promptly, followed by a Q&A session If you're unable to attend in person, we have the option to  attend virtually for $50 .  If you have purchased a virtual ticket your Zoom access link will be send to the email address provided at checkout the morning of the event.  Ticket sales end 2 hours before lecture start time.  With any ticket purchase, you are supporting Arkansas Times and our mission to stay your local and independent newsroom. We hope you continue to enjoy our lecture series and all our other events throughout the year. 

Looking for more information about our Lecture Series? Having trouble with your purchase? Please contact us at:

support@arktimes.com | 501-375-2985

Bill  Kopsky is the Director of the AR Public Policy Panel.  The Panel is a 63 year old 501.c.3 nonprofit dedicated to expanding social justice in Arkansas through community organizing and coalition building to help Arkansas families and residents improve their communities.  The Panel is the organizer of the Arkansas Citizens First Congress (CFC), a coalition of 50 community organizations founded in 1998 as a 501.c.4 sister organization to lead progressive policy change in Arkansas. The two organizations' agendas, elected by their members, includes economic, education, environmental, and civil rights issues, as well as promoting civic engagement. 

The Panel and CFC have a 10-year power building agenda that includes expanding the use of ballot measures in Arkansas to advance social justice issues and increasing voter engagement to complement the organizing and coalition building that is the foundation of their strategy.  Bill  completed  biology  and creative writing degree requirements with a minor in philosophy at the University of Colorado where he was a student organizer. 

He is a graduate of the Southern Empowerment Project Community Organizing School and joined the Panel in 1996 where he was mentored by Brownie W. Ledbetter and other civil rights, community, environmental, labor, and feminist leaders.  2026 is  Bill 's 30th year with the Arkansas Public Policy Panel.  He became the Panel’s Executive Director in 1999.  He is married to Liz Smith, Ceramic Arts Professor at the University of Central Arkansas, and they have 2 children.