Friends,
It was my distinct honor and privilege this past Sunday to join members of the Little Rock Nine for the 65th anniversary commemoration of the desegregation of Little Rock Central High School.
On Sept. 25, 1957, in the face of hatred and under the protection of the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division, nine brave teenagers walked down Park Street and up the steps of Central High School. Their actions were a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement, and they serve as a reminder to all of us to stand up to injustice and fight for equality. As Minniejean Brown-Trickey noted this weekend, desegregating Central High School was an example of “ordinary people” doing extraordinary things. May we all strive to be like the Nine, knowing that the actions of ordinary people can change the world for the better.
On Sunday, five members of the Little Rock Nine joined us to unveil new street signs renaming Park Street as Little Rock Nine Way. I appreciate City Manager Bruce Moore, the Little Rock Planning Commission and the Little Rock Board of Directors for voting to name the street in front of Central High School. For years to come, as students walk down the street then up the steps of that historic school building, they will remember the legacy of the Little Rock Nine: Melba Pattillo Beals, Elizabeth Eckford, Ernest Green, Gloria Ray Karlmark, Carlotta Walls LaNier, Terrence Roberts, Minniejean Brown-Trickey, Thelma Mothershed Wair, and the late Jefferson Thomas.
We express our gratitude to these leaders and trailblazers whose actions continue to have an impact 65 years later.
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The City of Little Rock hosts a ceremony to rename Park Street in front of Central High School to Little Rock Nine Way.
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The Little Rock Nine share reflections on the 65th anniversary of the integration of Central High School at an event hosted by the Clinton Presidential Center on Sept. 25, 2022.
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LITFest ready for launch
We’re just days away from the first-ever LITFest, a celebration of the best of Little Rock’s music, arts, culture and business. It’s important to me to try to establish a festival for the people of Little Rock that showcases our diversity and highlights everything our great city has to offer. Our goal this year is to build a strong foundation for an annual event that unites us and inspires us as we celebrate Little Rock with music, programming, food and activities.
For the first LITFest, we’re excited to have Grammy-award winner Ashanti take the stage Saturday, Oct. 8, at Robinson Center Performance Hall. Tickets are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com. Most other LITFest events are free to the public, including a River Market Block Party on Friday, Oct. 7, and live music all day Saturday on historic Ninth Street downtown.
In addition, LITFest will feature panel discussions about technology and economics, as well as a lineup of events focused on women’s empowerment. Award-winning actress Tia Mowry, best known for roles in Sister, Sister and Netflix’s Family Reunion, will join us on Saturday, Oct. 8, for a fireside chat about women’s entrepreneurship and wellness.
All day that Saturday, we’ll have food trucks and vendors along Ninth Street as well as games and fun for kids.
We’re continuing to add to the event schedule, so for up-to-date listings and times, visit www.mylitfest.com or follow MyLITFest on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
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The week ahead
Tonight at 6 at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 4501 Rahling Road, we will have the last of our community meetings to discuss priorities for streets and drainage and parks projects funded through the recent bond measure approved by voters. We’ve gone ward to ward listening to Little Rock residents about their priorities, and we’ll use that feedback in planning for these important projects. I encourage residents of Ward 5 to come out tonight to give us their suggestions.
The City Board of Directors meets Tuesday at 4 p.m. to set the agenda for next week’s board meeting. The Board meets at the Centre at University Park, 6401 W. 12th St. Meetings are open to the public and are also livestreamed on the City of Little Rock Facebook and YouTube pages.
The Little Rock Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a series of open houses, including two this week. Tonight, the public is welcome to attend an open house at the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, located at MacArthur Park, 503 E. 9th St. On Wednesday, the Parks Department will be at First Tee, 1 First Tee Way. Both events are from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Games, prizes and light refreshments will be available.
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As always, stay up to date with what's happening in the City on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram via @citylittlerock. You can also email me at mayorscott@littlerock.gov or call my office at 501.371.4744.
I appreciate you!
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