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.

With a shifting political landscape and critical decisions looming, the need for in-depth, unbiased reporting has never been greater. Your support enables us to grow our staff and strengthen our investigative capacity, making the Arkansas Times a vital journalistic watchdog.

Happy Hour Lecture Events

In-person tickets are $20 and include drinks and light snacks in the private dining room at the Copper Grill. Attendance is capped at 75 with previous lectures selling out at full capacity. Doors open at 5 pm with our guest speaker beginning their lecture at 5:30 pm–followed by a 30 minute, moderated Q&A where attendees have the opportunity to ask our guest lecturer questions and be an active participant in the conversation. Virtual tickets are $10 and will be hosted through zoom, where we will have the chatroom open so those attending virtually can type in any questions they might have during the open panel. Zoom links will be sent out via email the morning of the lecture so please check your spam email folders or better yet, add support@arktimes.com to your email contacts so that you don't miss any event emails!

 Lunch & Lecture Events

In-person tickets are $100 and include lunch in the private dining room at the Copper Grill. Attendance is capped at 75, and previous events have sold out—so please don’t wait to secure your seat. Doors open at 11:30, and the Copper Grill buffet begins immediately afterward. The guest speaker will start shortly before noon, followed by a Q&A session. We will wrap up by 1 p.m. Virtual tickets are $50, providing you with Zoom access to the event and the opportunity to stay informed, no matter where you are.

Looking for more information about our Lecture Series? Having trouble with your purchase? Our digital department's contact information is listed below!

support@arktimes.com

501-375-2985

About Bobby Forrest Jr. 

Click here to learn more about Bobby's campaign for Prosecuting Attorney for Perry and Pulaski County.

Bobby Forrest Jr. is a proud native of Jacksonville, Arkansas, with deep family roots in Earle, Arkansas. Raised by a single mother alongside three sisters, Bobby’s early life was shaped by faith, resilience, and hard-earned lessons. Growing up in public housing, with a father incarcerated for most of his life, Bobby’s path was anything but easy. Yet, those challenges planted the seeds for his passion for justice. At the age of 10, Bobby was baptized at a neighborhood church that he walked to on his own. His mother, having dreams of her own to become a forensic scientist, never really had the chance. He and his mother would watch cop shows every night together. Bobby knew that when he grew up, he wanted to be a cop. But growing up in an impoverished community, the real challenge was how to make it out alive and without being incarcerated.

By 14, he was arrested for the first time. At 16, it happened again. But instead of being defined by his mistakes, he was given another chance by Judge Wiley Branton Jr. — a moment that changed the course of his life. Bobby went on to graduate from Jacksonville High School. He immediately joined the Army National Guard as a Military Police Officer and began studying Criminal Justice in college. Bobby joined the Jacksonville Police Department at just 21 years old. He had a passion to come back and fight crime right in the neighborhood he grew up in. During the first year, Bobby received three Letter of Commendations for saving the lives of three different citizens in Jacksonville, including the well-known pursuit of a young man who hijacked a school bus full of school kids. A year later, at 22, he became an undercover narcotics detective. It was in this position that he saw the effects drugs can have in the community and dedicated to stopping violent drug dealers. He recalls one of his biggest busts where several guns and drugs were removed from the street. In

2015, his career came to a sudden stop when he made a decision that would cost him his job. While trying to protect a friend but breaking department policy, Bobby was terminated. He describes this incident as devastating and life changing, as he had wanted this career his whole life. He reached rock bottom, but fortunately, that setback became a setup. Bobby decided if he could not be a cop, he would become an attorney. He earned a job at a prestigious firm while completing college and was accepted into law school, where he emerged as a student leader — earning magna cum laude honors, becoming a Thurgood Marshall Scholar, serving in multiple leadership roles, and joining Law Review. Bobby founded Chosen Law Firm and today, it has grown into a multimillion-dollar operation with four attorneys.

He has taught Criminal Justice at UALR, serves on the Civil Service Commission for the City of Little Rock, and holds licenses to practice in Arkansas, Tennessee, and both the Eastern and Western Districts. Tragically, in 2023, Bobby’s sister was brutally murdered — a life-altering moment that deepened his commitment to ending senseless violence. He is a proud father, the founder of Xperience Kitchen and Lounge, a restaurateur, a real estate renovator who supports Section 8 families, a BBQ lover, a football fan, and a dedicated mentor. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, the Arkansas Bar Association Board of Trustees, St. Mark Baptist Church. Bobby is a servant-leader whose life proves: second chances are not just possible — they’re powerful. A proud Army veteran, experienced trial lawyer, proven leader, and skilled manager, Bobby is committed to fighting for our district by reducing violent crime through smart and just prosecution. He is ready to hit the ground running in the fight to make our communities safe.