Arkansas. Diversity.

Arkansas. Diversity. Two words. One invitation to learn, grow and open your mind.

Arkansas. A word that stirs up a whirlwind of emotions, opinions, discomfort & possibility.

Diversity. A word that stirs up a whirlwind of emotions, opinions, discomfort & possibility.

For many, the word Arkansas stirs up a mixture of assumptions—politics, history, stereotypes.

The word diversity does the same. Both words carry weight. Both words trigger emotions. And both words, when paired together in the small mountain town of Eureka Springs, tell a story worth paying attention to.

The Hard Truth

Diversity isn’t easy. It never has been. It requires us to lean into discomfort, to listen when we’d rather shut down, and to hold space for perspectives that challenge our own. And Arkansas ... a state that has been at the center of national debates, from civil rights to LGBTQIA+ inclusion ... knows this truth intimately.

In 2023, when state leaders proposed equating drag shows with adult entertainment venues, it wasn’t just legislation. It was a message. A message that cut deep into the LGBTQIA+ community. Even though the final bill was softened, the harm lingered. Fear doesn’t just vanish when reason prevails; it leaves echoes.

But here’s the thing, echoes can be powerful teachers. When we sit with the discomfort of those echoes, we’re reminded of why belonging matters.

"True belonging doesn’t mean we’re always comfortable. It doesn’t mean we agree. It means we choose courage over silence, connection over isolation, and empathy over judgment." - John-Michael Scurio

That’s what I have come to experience and observe living here in Eureka Springs.

This little town in the Ozarks doesn’t pretend diversity is tidy. Instead, it celebrates the messiness. Every season, we gather, through festivals, car shows, parades, Pride, music festivals, bike rallies, and art openings, to say out loud: You are welcome here. And we don’t mean “welcome if…” We mean welcome!

Period.

It doesn’t mean it’s perfect. Conflict still exists. Disagreements still happen. But resilience is born in those moments. That resilience is what makes Eureka Springs extraordinary.

The Lesson

When we bring different voices to the table, the table gets stronger. When we’re willing to hear stories not our own, our stories deepen. When we choose inclusion, we choose growth. It’s not corporate jargon. It’s lived experience. Diverse teams innovate more. Diverse communities adapt faster. And diverse towns like Eureka Springs? They thrive against the odds.

And isn’t that what courage looks like? Thriving because of difference, not in spite of it.

Visitors often describe something intangible when they come here. A click. A moment of recognition. That deep feeling of "I belong." It’s in the architecture, the music, the streets but mostly, it’s in the people. In the way they show up. In the way they make space for one another, even when it’s hard.

That click is belonging. And belonging is magic.

Dr. Katherine W. Phillips once wrote that diversity is essential for change, growth, and innovation. In Eureka Springs, you don’t just read that idea in a study ... you live it on a Saturday night walking down Spring Street, rainbow lights bouncing off century-old buildings.

This is not about Arkansas versus diversity. It’s about Arkansas and diversity. It’s about a small town that dares to be a rainbow in a red state. It’s about people willing to wrestle with discomfort, to stand up for one another, and to keep showing up even when it’s hard.

Belonging is never a destination. It’s a practice. A choice we make again and again. And in this corner of the Ozarks, we keep making that choice. Come to Eureka Springs. Feel the click. It won’t just connect you to this place, it might actually connect you back to yourself.

The Radical Truth

Diversity is not just about who we include. It’s about who we become when we dare to include. Remember, a belief is just a thought you keep thinking. Change your thoughts, change your beliefs.

"Spread love, my friends!"

Arkansas may be a red state, but here in Eureka Springs, we're a rainbow town. Welcome to Eureka Springs, Arkansas.❤️