Soma 501 announces new board members and celebrates milestones at annual meeting
SoMa 501 Little Rock, Inc. held its Annual Meeting on Wednesday, April 29, bringing together board members, stakeholders, and community partners to celebrate a year of significant growth and to look ahead to the organization’s future.
At the meeting, the Board of Directors voted to appoint two new members, Christopher Tyler Burks, Ph.D., MPA, and Sarah Thomas, MBA, MPH, whose expertise and community leadership will help guide SoMa’s continued momentum.
Chris Burks is an assistant professor in the School of Public Affairs at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where he teaches political science, public administration, and nonprofit management. He also serves as an instructor in the Arkansas Public Administration Consortium’s Certified Public Manager program. Burks holds a Ph.D. in public administration and policy from American University and an M.P.A. from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He is the founder of Urban Analysis, a consulting firm focused on policy, planning, and civic innovation. His experience includes transportation policy work, zoning reform, and development of Complete Streets initiatives.
Sarah Thomas is a wellness leader, author, and advocate known for her work in accessible and inclusive health practices. A lifelong yogi, she is the founder of 365 Yoga Dream and MS Dreams, initiatives focused on making wellness and mobility resources available to all, particularly individuals living with Multiple Sclerosis. She is the author of Chair Yoga for Multiple Sclerosis and Chronic Pain and a certified Health and Wellness Lifestyle Coach through Emory University. Sarah is the President of Women+ in Technology of Central AR and serves as the Program Manager of Strategic Partnerships and Programs at The Venture Center.
“We are thrilled to welcome Chris and Sarah to the board,” said Elizabeth Michael, Executive Director of SoMa 501. “Both bring unique expertise and a deep commitment that will strengthen our work as we continue to grow SoMa as Little Rock’s most welcoming, walkable, and creative communities.”
The Annual Meeting also highlighted SoMa’s impact in 2025, including more than 32,000 event attendees and an estimated $3,746,705 in economic impact generated through district programming and events.
Additionally, SoMa 501 unveiled its FY 2026–2027 Work Plan, developed using the Main Street America framework. The plan is organized around four core pillars: Economic Vitality, Design, Promotion, and Organization. Together, these pillars guide SoMa’s efforts to support small businesses, enhance the built environment, promote the district, and strengthen organizational capacity.
The meeting took place just ahead of SoMa Day, the organization’s celebration of its 20th anniversary, marking two decades of community-building, creative placemaking, and economic development in the South Main district.
“SoMa has grown tremendously over the past 20 years, and we’re just getting started,” Michael said. “With strong leadership, community support, and a clear strategic framework, we’re positioned for our most impactful years yet.”
For more information about SoMa 501 and upcoming events, visit SoMaLittleRock.com.
About SoMa 501
SoMa 501 (formerly Southside Main Street Project, Inc.) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and enhancing economic development, public relations, historic integrity, and quality of life for the citizens of the SoMa district in Little Rock.
As a Main Street Arkansas program, we work with our local businesses, government partners, and other stakeholders to deliver events, improvement projects, and programming for the benefit of everyone who visits our stretch of Main Street.
Vision: SoMa 501 strives for a vibrant and diverse South Main Street where residents, local businesses, and visitors alike feel welcome and engaged in the community.
Mission: SoMa 501 contributes to an eclectic and dynamic South Main Street by championing its economic interests, celebrating and protecting its history, and cultivating an exceptional downtown experience for all who come to live, work, play, and be in our vibrant, neighborly community.
