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MEET OUR FOUNDER

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Michelle B. Barnes

Founder/Executive Director

Michelle is a native of Strong, Arkansas. She founded Real Images in 2014 believing that if women of different backgrounds could unite to discuss the tie that binds all women, magic would happen.

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Through her vision, Real Images is celebrated in Arkansas as a connector of women to be inspired and empowered. She also has a passion for empowering the youth, especially girls. Currently she is the sole facilitator of the MIRROR Project.

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In 2023, Michelle joined Arkansas Research Alliance (ARA) as operations manager. ARA is public-private partnership investing in research that stimulates innovation, encourages collaboration, and strengthens economic opportunity.

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Michelle has previously served as director of housing at Our House and community developer at the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts (ASMSA).  She has been on the boards of Central Arkansas Team Care for the Homeless (CATCH), Lucie’s Place, and Pulaski County CASA.

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Michelle has been recognized by the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network- Little Rock as a 20 Over 20 nonprofit professional. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., UA Little Rock Alumni Association, and Leadership Greater Little Rock Class XXXV. She holds both a Bachelor of Sociology and Master of Public Administration from UA Little Rock. 

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