Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families hosts its Friends of Children Annual Luncheon to celebrate the power of advocacy in improving the lives of children and families across our state. Visit our event page for more information and to buy tickets.

This year we are privileged to honor Senator Linda Chesterfield and Ben Goodwin for their important work on behalf of our state’s children, and for all they’ve done to ensure that kids in Arkansas have the resources and opportunities they need to be healthy and successful.

The luncheon will also include a special tribute to Judge Wiley Branton, Jr. (1951-2023), who was recognized as a Friend of Children honoree in 2013.

Senator Linda Chesterfield

Linda Chesterfield was elected to the Arkansas Senate in 2010. For the 94th General Assembly, she serves as Senate Minority Whip. In 2003 she was elected to the Arkansas House of Representatives, serving through 2008.

She is a retired teacher and past president of Little Rock School Board, Pulaski County Association of Classroom Teachers, and Arkansas Education Association. She served on the board of the National Education Association (NEA) and is the only Arkansan elected to the NEA Executive Committee.

She chaired the NEA Black Caucus. She has been active with the Arkansas Democratic Black Caucus, the Arkansas Legislative Black Caucus, and the Beta Pi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. A native of Hope, Senator Chesterfield was the first African American to graduate from Hendrix College. She and her husband Emry are members of First Missionary Baptist Church of Greater Little Rock.

Learn more about legislation the General Assembly has passed in recent years to benefit children.

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Ben Goodwin

Ben Goodwin was named Executive Director in September 2017 after serving for eight years on the Our House team, first as Grants Manager then as Assistant Director. In his time at Our House, Ben has been integrally involved in the expansion of their programs and facilities, the refinement of their model as a best practice in the field, and the development of rigorous performance measurement and ongoing evaluation to optimize Our House’s impact. Ben has a B.A. in Mathematics from Hendrix College, and he also received a B.A. in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics from Oxford University, attending on a Rhodes Scholarship. He has a deep love for Our House, their clients, and their mission. In his spare time Ben enjoys running, painting, and spending time with his wife Elizabeth and two children.

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Judge Wiley Branton, Jr. (1951-2023)

Wiley Branton was a proud graduate of Morehouse College and Georgetown University Law Center. His life was a testimony to his dedication to the law and civil rights. He had more than 45 years of legal and academic experience, including professor at his alma mater, private law practice, government service, and adjunct professor at two law schools. Judge Branton served as a circuit court judge from 1993 until his retirement in 2020. In his courtroom, he tried to see beyond the actions of troubled youth, recognizing that juvenile justice should be an instrument of rehabilitation and healing, rather than solely punishment. His life stands as a testament to the enduring power of love, compassion, and justice.

Judge Branton’s wife Stephanie, daughter, son, granddaughters, and a host of other family members and friends continue to celebrate his life and legacy.