ArkCAN has made politics real for me. I now understand that I can make a difference by speaking at legislative committees, networking across the state, and forming grassroots groups. Gail and Davis demonstrated how to effectively communicate with elected officials, political organizations, agencies, and influential individuals through thoughtful words, actions, and sustainable collaborations. They modeled positive and effective behavior, and we followed their example.
Jan Hart
Midtown Grassroots, Little Rock
ABOUT US
Our Team
Director of Community Power & Engagement
Blake Tierney
A civic engagement leader with experience across nonprofits, public service, and grassroots organizing, Blake serves as ArkCAN’s Director of Community Power & Engagement. He builds statewide strategies that help Arkansans turn information into action, strengthen local leadership, connect communities, and grow civic power from the ground up.
Co-Founder & Executive Director
Dr. Gail Choate
Dr. Gail Choate is a political scientist, educator, and civic activist based in Little Rock, Arkansas. With years of grassroots experience and a Ph.D. in Comparative Studies, she brings both scholarship and practical know-how to the work of building strong, participatory communities.
We contribute to strong, vibrant communities by unlocking opportunities for Arkansans to learn, connect, and act together. With these tools, they transform shared knowledge and ideas into civic action
OUR STORY
Arkansas Civic Action Network began with a simple but urgent idea: democracy only works when people feel confident to take part. Founded by educators and advocates, we saw that too many Arkansans lacked access to clear, trustworthy information and the practical tools needed to step into civic life. From kitchen table conversations to workshops in libraries, we built ArkCAN to be a hub where citizens can connect with one another, learn, and find meaningful ways to act. Today, our work spans the state, linking communities with resources, decision makers, and each other, so every voice has the chance to be heard.
WHO WE ARE
At the heart of Arkansas Civic Action Network is a bold, tangible belief: when Arkansans are informed, empowered, and connected, they become the architects of their own futures.
We are nonpartisan, nonprofit, and deeply rooted in community, guided by founders who are educators and civic activists, and by board members who bring political experience, rural perspective, financial stewardship, administrative grounding, and educational leadership.
Adam Watson
Chair
A bold rural voice and the director of Gravel and Grit, Adam builds infrastructure for grassroots movements, believing that civic education is the engine that powers real, systemic change.
Davis Hendricks
Vice Chair
Davis is an educator and civic leader with a background in nonprofit leadership and community development. As a co-founder of ArkCAN, he brings a commitment to mentoring others and ensuring our work is practical, accessible, and grounded in the needs of Arkansas communities.
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Steve Harrelson
Founding Board Member
A proud Arkansan, lawmaker turned civic champion with degrees from the University of Arkansas and Harvard Kennedy School. Steve steers ArkCAN with a conviction that an educated, united citizenry can overcome gridlock and advocate for Arkansas’s future.
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Carol Egan
Treasurer
A retired insurance executive with expertise in marketing and strategic planning, Carol believes the best government system is one where everyone has a voice. As Treasurer for ArkCAN, she focuses her energies on growth and financial stability.
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Richard Lancaster
Secretary
A devoted community builder and Hendrix alum with deep roots in faith-based service. Now with ArkCAN, Richard channels that spirit into organized, sustainable civic engagement.
Dr. David Rainey
Board Member
An education leader with a EdD, former superintendent, and policy advocate. David is deeply committed to nurturing leaders who will uphold and improve the structures that support Arkansas’s most vulnerable.
Matt Perrin
Board Member
Matt is a co-founder of Flatland Financial CPAs and is serving his eighth year on the Blytheville City Council. He brings financial expertise, local government experience, and a commitment to public institutions that are accountable, accessible, transparent, and responsive to the people they serve.
Rob Wright
Board Member
Rob is an attorney, educator, and former pharmacist with a long commitment to public service and advocacy. He teaches American National Government at North Arkansas College and brings to ArkCAN a strong belief in civic education, informed participation, and helping people understand the systems that shape their lives.
Our Values
Our work is guided by honesty, inclusion, accountability, and respect. We believe strong communities are built when people learn from one another, speak with integrity, and act together for lasting change.
Our Impact: Creating Lasting Change
Lasting change happens when Arkansans come together to solve problems, share their stories, and lift each other up. It looks like neighbors building trust across divides, students leading projects in their hometowns, and communities taking ownership of their future. Our role is to spark these connections and support people as they shape the civic life of Arkansas.
Advocacy
We stand with communities to advance policies rooted in their voices and priorities. Advocacy means making sure Arkansans are heard and ensuring their experiences shape the future of our state.
Engagement
We help identify opportunities where Arkansans can step up and lead. From workshops to town halls, these spaces bring people together to share stories, build skills, and collaborate on solutions that matter in their everyday lives.
Resources
We share clear, reliable tools that help people move from questions to action. Whether it is understanding a ballot, organizing neighbors, or launching a community project, our resources give Arkansans the confidence to lead.
Community
We nurture connections that grow into lasting change. By bringing diverse voices together, supporting collaboration, and strengthening relationships, we help communities build the civic culture they want to see.
Our Partners
"Working with this team has been a game-changer. Their ability to connect communities and spark real conversations has strengthened our own outreach efforts."
— Community Organizer, Little Rock
Here’s what our friends and partners have to say about working together for change.
"They don’t just talk about civic action—they make it happen. Partnering with them has helped us reach people we never would have reached on our own."
— Local Non-Profit Leader
"What I value most is their collaborative spirit. They listen, adapt, and make sure every partner feels supported in the work we’re doing together."
— Educator & Volunteer Coordinator
Empowering Communities
Arkansas Civic Action Network empowers communities through resources, connections, and non-partisan civic participation. Strengthening democracy through education, advocacy, and support is our mission. Join us in promoting diversity, equity, and justice.