Black excellence

Black Hall of Fame celebrates 30th anniversary after 2-year hiatus

With the theme of “Back on Broadway” (Markham Street and Broadway in Little Rock, that is), the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame emerged from a two-year, pandemic-related absence to celebrate its 30th anniversary and present its 28th Induction Ceremony & Show.

The event, which took place Oct. 15 in the Robinson Center Performance Hall in Little Rock, got underway with a VIP reception, complete with cocktails and gourmet appetizers in the ballroom of the adjacent DoubleTree Hotel Little Rock.

Phyllis Yvonne Stickney, Arkansan-born actress and previous inductee, was mistress of ceremonies for a program that featured remarks from Hall of Fame Chairman Charles Stewart and the induction of Sherman Banks; Ketty Lester (who delivered her acceptance speech via video); Dr. Joe Hargrove; Hattie Hill Sutton; the late Gertrude Newsome Jackson (whose award was accepted by her daughter, Loretta Ellington); and James Thrower.

Highlighting the entertainment were the Broadway dance performances. Students from North Little Rock’s Westwind School for the Performing Arts kicked off the ceremony with “Circle of Life” from “The Lion King.” Later, dancers from the Tidwell Project delivered the “Hamilton Mash Up”; and near the end of the evening, students from the Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School performed “In ’da Beginning: Bring in ’da Noise, Bring in ’da Funk.”

Proceeds will enable the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Foundation to award grants to uplift Black and underserved communities in Arkansas.

Lakaisha Shelby of Bryant, Maggie Peralta, Arnessa Bennett, Reynard Marks, Dr. Minnie Hatchett, Larry Bennett, and Pastor Berlinda Helms of Jacksonville

Richard Mays, Greg and Tojuanna Mays, Supha Xayprasith-Mays, and Alicia Ferguson Smith

Students of the Westwind School for the Performing Arts perform “Circle of Life” from “The Lion King.”

Inductee Sherman Banks with Betty and Arnell Willis

Charles O. Stewart, event chairman (center) with Shirley Edmond of Charlotte, N.C., and Chrisna Chunn of Bryant

Loretta Ellington gives acceptance remarks on behalf of her mother, the late honoree Gertrude Newsome Jackson.

Honoree Dr. Joe Hargrove and his wife, Dr. Frances Harris

Stafford Sutton with inductee Jim Thrower

Past inductee Irma Hunter Brown (center) with Railen Mason and Kaivyn Coleman

Stafford Sutton and his wife, honoree Hattie Hill Sutton

Shanita Christian of Fort Smith and her mother, Brenda Osborne of Dallas

Dr. Andrea Stewart, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff provost, with Darlene Freeman-Dulaney

Inductee Ketty Lester gives acceptance remarks via video.