Commission Team Members

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.—Governor-elect Sarah Huckabee Sanders today announced her intention to nominate Jacob Oliva, a key education leader for Governor Ron DeSantis in Florida, as the Secretary of the Department of Education, and that she intends to work in partnership with the State Board of Education to appoint him to serve in a dual role as the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education.

“Education is the foundation for success, and, with my nominee for Secretary of Education and Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, Jacob Oliva, we are ready to transform Arkansas education with bold reforms that will empower every kid to succeed,” Sanders said. “Jacob’s proven success increasing student achievement and his experience serving in many educational roles will make him an asset to my administration. Through my Arkansas LEARNS plan, we will expand access to quality education for every kid growing up in our state, empower parents, not government bureaucrats, and prepare students for the workforce, not government dependency, so everyone has a shot at a better life right here in Arkansas.”

“Governor-elect Sanders has the right vision to unleash Arkansas education, and I’m excited to get to work on day one to enact it,” Oliva said. “Education is the key to the future, creating opportunity for all, which is why I’ve spent my career implementing successful early learning programs, empowering parents with choices, and investing in career readiness. I am ready to continue that work here in Arkansas and look forward to working with Governor-elect Sanders to build a bright future for our students.”

Biography of Dr. DuShun L. Scarbrough, Sr.

Reared by his grandmother and aunts, it was instilled in him that he could achieve anything if he kept God first. Dr. DuShun L. Scarbrough, Sr. is a native of Little Rock, Arkansas, who was educated in the Little Rock School District. At the young age of fifteen, Scarbrough began his community involvement in a youth speak-out conference entitled “Death of a Race.” Thereafter, he continued his zealous quest by participating in youth seminars and preventative programs. After graduating from high school, he went on to acquire a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Philander Smith College. Eager to acquire an astute blend of practical and theoretical skills, Dr. Scarbrough left Little Rock in 1999 to further his edification, desiring to someday return to Little Rock and continue serving his community.

Dr. Scarbrough currently holds a Master of Business Administration Degree from Webster University in Orlando, Florida and a Master of Counselor Education Degree from Florida A&M University. He holds a J.D., Juris Doctorate Law Degree from Western Michigan University School of Law. He is also a Class of 2011 recipient of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government's Driving Government Performance and a Class of 2014 recipient of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government's Leaders of the 21st Century Certification. He was also a member of the Delta Regional Authority Leadership Class of 2013.

Dr. Scarbrough’s goal as Executive Director is to cooperatively, keep Commissioners informed of staff progress and community unification, in accordance with the vision of the Governor of Arkansas. Dr. Scarbrough believes in the organization’s mission and vision of promoting racial harmony, multicultural diversity, and social justice for the improvement and equality of all Arkansans. Dr. Scarbrough’s personal vision for the Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission is for Arkansans of all ethnic groups and economic levels to unite and work together on various issues of the community.

With the help and support of Arkansas businesses and residents, we can serve as agents of change. We need not only to utilize Dr. King’s tenets but also teach his legacy. We must solidify our youth’s intellectualism and elevate our effectiveness as parents, educators, and role models. We, as the community, must impart knowledge of nonviolence and racial harmony to our new generation so that they are equipped to promote forever the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.”

Since April of 2014, Dr. Scarbrough has initiated and garnered the participation of Arkansans to assist in healing race relations in Harrison, Arkansas, a nationally renowned city that carries the stigma of racism and the national headquarters of the Ku Klux Klan. While in Harrison, Dr. Scarbrough hosted the first Black history program, a peace march, unity concert, and a mock funeral to bury hatred and racism. Thousands from across the state journeyed to Harrison to participate in the event. While in Harrison, he also sat down with the Ku Klux Klan Grand Wizard to initiate dialogue, promote mutual understanding, and hear his perspective.

Media Outlet THV 11 announced that the Commission hosts the largest day of service in the nation and the fourth largest event in the nation for volunteerism during the King Holiday weekend. The annual event focuses on community service, encouraging people to engage in their communities, not just on King holiday, but for the entire year. The Commission has earned the respect of several nationally acclaimed figures including Arun Gandhi, the grandson of Nonviolence champion Mahandas Gandhi and Dr. Bernice A. King, the daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Coretta Scott King,who is also one of Dr. Scarbrough’s mentors. Dr. Scarbrough was personally trained in Kingian principles by the King family.

Under Dr. Scarbrough’s leadership, The Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission proudly announced Arkansas’ first commemorative license plate dedicated to the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The commemorative license plate is available at local revenue offices throughout the state of Arkansas. Arkansas is one of five states in the nation that now offers a license plate commemorating the legacy of Dr. King.

In light of the recent tension between law enforcement and civilians, Mr. Scarbrough decided to take a positive, proactive approach to encouraging community engagement and dialogue.“As an agency dedicated to promoting the life and legacy of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we along with so many others have been shaken by the recent tragedies that have rocked our country. Dr. Scarbrough crafted public service announcements and initiatives that the Commission undertook to move forward towards community involvement, reconciliation, and healing. The purpose of the public service announcements was to show that as a community we must stand together with our law enforcement officials and that there can be positive interaction between the two. Dr. Scarbrough strongly believes in Dr. King’s teachings “What affects one directly, affects us all indirectly. he Commission has ongoing partnerships with Pulaski County Sheriff’s, Little Rock Police Department, and several law enforcement agencies throughout the state to improve community relations with law enforcement and encourage community policing.

In Arkansas one in seven people face hunger. To address the state's epidemic of food insecurity, Dr. Scarbrough has coordinated mass feeding projects that have provided meals to thousands of families across Arkansas.

Dr. Scarbrough is married to Angela Scarbrough and the couple shares three children DuShun Scarbrough, Jr., Kennedy Scarbrough, and Braxton Scarbrough.

Special Awards and Acknowledgements: 2012, 2014, Nominee, 2015, Finalist, Arkansas State Employee of the Year

2017 Silent Hero Finalist, National Award for Government Employees

2018 Drum Major for Leadership Award, United States Department of Education

2022 April“Person of the Month” 501 Life Magazine

2021 Cover Story, December Edition, Inviting Arkansas, “The King Legacy”

2022 Person of the Day, THV 11, January 2022

2023 Featured on the Legacy Cover of "501 Life" Magazine

The Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission's 30th Anniversary is recognized on the U.S. House of Representatives floor by U.S. Congressman French Hill, 2023

The Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission's work under the leadership of Dr. DuShun Scarbrough is entered into the Congressional record by U.S. Senator John Boozman, 2023

Instrumental in assisting the MLK Commissions in Ohio, Oklahoma, Florida, and Las Vegas in advancing sustainability and economic development through targeted training programs, empowering communities to achieve long-term growth.

Promoter of fatherhood through a national initiative aimed at strengthening families and uplifting communities.

During the turbulent riots of 2020 following the death of George Floyd, the Commission called for community peace, encouraging unity and nonviolence in line with Dr. King's principles of peaceful advocacy and social justice.

Honored as an Ambassador for the King Holiday Parade in Las Vegas, the fourth-largest parade in the nation celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Honored during King Week 2025 events in Las Vegas for work in addressing food insecurity, promoting sustainability, and education while honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Presentation of Honorary Doctorate from Shorter College

Honored Partner of the NBA Summer League

Executive Director of the MLK Foundation and Global Initiative

Mayor Frank Scott declared August 27, 2025, as “DuShun Scarbrough Day” by the City of Little Rock

Recognized for service by the MLK Foundation of Florida

National Trainer for the National Nonviolence Trainings with Dr. Bernard Lafayette, legendary civil rights leader

2025 Arkansas Business Publishing Group Executive of the Year Finalist, Public Sector/Education

Arkansas Money and Politics Magazine Top 100 Professionals

2026 Beloved Community Civic Leadership Award presented by Dr. Bernice A. King and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change

2026 National Freedom Flame Honoree, Honoring the legacy of the Voting Rights Act in Selma, Alabama

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders makes history as Arkansas’ first female Governor. Governor Huckabee Sanders has previously worked in leadership roles for U.S. Senators, Governors, and presidential campaigns. In Arkansas, Governor Huckabee Sanders was a senior advisor to Senator Tom Cotton in 2014 when he defeated incumbent Democratic Senator Mark Pryor, and was campaign manager for Senator John Boozman in 2010 when he defeated incumbent Democratic Senator Blanche Lincoln. In 2007 and 2008, Governor Huckabee Sanders helped lead her father, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, to victory in the Iowa Caucuses and seven other states as his national political director.

Governor Huckabee Sanders served in the Department of Education during President George W. Bush‘s administration, and was campaign manager of the ONE campaign, a global non-profit founded by U2’s Bono to take action to end extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa.Governor Huckabee Sanders has been recognized in Fortune and TIME Magazine’s “40 under 40.”

She is the author of the New York Times bestseller “Speaking for Myself,”a former Fox News contributor, and serves on the Fulbright board.She grew up in Pine Bluff and Texarkana, and is a proud graduate of Little Rock Central High and Ouachita Baptist University. Not only is she the Governor but the wife of the first gentleman, Bryan, and mother of their children Scarlett, Huck, and George, and their golden retriever, Traveler.