By Jill Eaves


Kelly D. Bryant did not join the American Red Cross Greater Arkansas Chapter Board of Directors expecting to find so many ways to make a difference in her Pine Bluff community.

“I’ve learned a lot more about the Red Cross than I originally knew,” Bryant said. “I knew about the blood donations and the work with the military, but learning about disaster relief and the shelters opened my eyes to what the Red Cross does and how many people it actually serves.”

Bryant, a Pine Bluff resident and environmental manager at Clearwater Paper Corporation in Arkansas City, recently received the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Dr. Sandra “Sandie” Nadelson Memorial Distinguished Board Member Award from the Greater Arkansas Chapter and was the chair of the board's Community Outreach Committee. She also began her Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) term as vice chair of the board.

The award honors Nadelson, a longtime Red Cross board member whose dedicated service, leadership and commitment to the mission left a lasting impact on the chapter. For Bryant, the recognition reflects a journey that began with a hesitant “not right now” and grew into a commitment to helping Pine Bluff families prepare for emergencies.

Her Red Cross connection began after Clearwater Paper made a donation. At the time, Lori Arnold was executive director serving Greater Arkansas and encouraged Bryant to consider serving on the chapter board. Arnold now serves as deputy regional disaster officer for the American Red Cross of Missouri and Arkansas.

“At first I said not right now,” Bryant said. “I had a lot of other things going on.”

A few months later, Arnold reached out again. This time, Bryant said yes to an opportunity to support the Red Cross mission and help strengthen preparedness in her community.

During fiscal year 2026, Bryant chaired the Community Outreach Committee, where she helped keep members informed and engaged. She also represented the chapter on the regional Inclusion, Belonging, Equity and Access Committee and participated in chapter activities including a Thunderbolt simulation, community listening session, volunteer open house and business expo. Throughout the year, Bryant contributed more than 50 volunteer hours supporting Red Cross leadership, preparedness education, volunteer engagement and community outreach in Pine Bluff and across the chapter.

Dr. Riva Brown, executive director of the American Red Cross serving Greater Arkansas, said Bryant’s service has made a meaningful difference for the chapter and the community.

“Kelly has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to our mission through the numerous hours she has dedicated and her exceptionally high level of engagement throughout the year,” Brown said. “As a resident of our focus community, Kelly brings both a personal passion and a professional excellence to everything she does. Her leadership, reliability and willingness to go above and beyond have distinguished her as one of our organization’s most impactful board members and advocates.”

For Bryant, board service became especially meaningful when she joined Red Cross volunteers installing free smoke alarms in local homes. Along with the alarms, volunteers shared home fire safety information to help families prepare for emergencies.

“They were really appreciative, because it was free, no strings attached,” Bryant said. “There are still people who will do things for a good purpose with nothing behind it.”

The Greater Arkansas Chapter Disaster Action Team has responded to more than 400 home fires since the start of 2026, providing emergency assistance, resources and comfort to people affected by disasters.

Bryant also shares Red Cross preparedness information with people in her own community. Through the Pine Bluff Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, she encouraged members to participate in a hands-only CPR class. About a dozen members attended.

“Not everybody can do everything, but we can usually find people who can do something,” Bryant said. “Those small things add up.”

For Bryant, those small steps, from installing a smoke alarm to sharing preparedness information, can help build a stronger, safer community. She hopes others in Pine Bluff and across Arkansas will discover their own way to support the Red Cross, whether by volunteering, serving on a board, giving blood or making a financial donation.

Learn more about volunteering with the American Red Cross at redcross.org/volunteer.