FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Northwest Arkansas Democratic Black Caucus will honor four University of Arkansas faculty and staff members as it presents the sixth annual Barack Obama Celebrating Diversity and in Education scholarship banquet on April 21.

The banquet celebrates and honors diverse educators in Northwest Arkansas with Lifetime Achievement Awards. The banquet's proceeds benefit graduating high school seniors with the Barack Obama Emerging Leaders Scholarship for Northwest Arkansas. This year's banquet will be  at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 7, at the Hilton Garden Inn, 1325 N. Palak Drive, Fayetteville.

Faculty and staff being honored include:

• Parice Bowser, director of Greek Life
• Rodger Hunter, student-athlete development coordinator for Razorback Athletics
• Mohja Kahf, professor of English
• Angie Maxwell, associate professor of political science

Melody Morris of the Rogers School District will also be honored, and special recognition will be given to retiring state Rep. Uvalde Lindsey and Betty Smith, a former Fayetteville High School teacher.

This year's theme is Education Equity: The New Civil Rights Issue: The New Civil Rights Issue. The keynote speaker will be Tequilla Banks, executive vice president of The New Teacher Project, a national organization with a mission of ensuring poor and minority students get equal access to effective teachers. The hosts of the event will be Helena Gadison and Noel Sosa.

Seating is limited and tickets must be purchase by April 15. Tickets are $35. Tickets may be purchased through eventbrite.com. For more information about the event or sponsorship packages, contact D'Andre Jones at nwademocraticblackcaucus@gmail.com.

The Northwest Arkansas Democratic Black Caucus is an auxiliary of the Democratic Party of Arkansas.