Friends, 

We know that civic engagement makes us a stronger City, so in 2025 we are focusing on innovative ways to expand community connections and foster positive outreach. These efforts include our new Mobile City Hall program as well as ongoing courses like R.O.C.K. Academy.

R.O.C.K. stands for "Residents Obtaining Community Knowledge," and in this immersive, seven-week program, participants learn the nuts and bolts of city government. R.O.C.K. Academy offers a comprehensive understanding of the aspects of city operations, and it helps to strengthen the bond between the City and its residents. 

This past week, we finished the 2025 cohort of R.O.C.K. Academy, with 28 new graduates. I asked several of this year's participants to share their thoughts about the experience. We appreciate their willingness to join the program and to share more about what they learned.

Here are their first-person accounts:

Gloria Bastidas

I decide to join the R.O.C.K. Academy because I have lived in Little Rock more than 25 years but didn't know much about how our local government works. Attending the R.O.C.K. Academy gave me the opportunity to learn about city departments, programs, budgets, planning, safety, sustainability, and quality of life. I met dedicated city staff, learned about the resources and services available, and gained a better understanding of both the benefits and challenges facing our community.
 
One highlight was participating in the Mobile City Hall program, where the city brings information, services, and resources directly to neighborhoods. I was impressed to see Mayor Frank Scott, Jr. engaging with residents, answering questions, and providing resources on the spot.
 
The R.O.C.K. Academy also offered excellent networking opportunities. Our group was very diverse, which made the discussions even more enriching.  The facilitator, Melissa Mitchell, created a welcoming environment that helped us connect as a team.
 
Now, I feel like an ambassador for my city ready to share what I’ve learned with my family, friends, and neighbors, and community in general. I understand the importance of staying informed and involved, and I'm proud to be part of the Little Rock community that values transparency, communications, and civic engagement.

Christopher Tyler Burks

The R.O.C.K. Academy was an enlightening experience! The greatest value of the program is the direct access to the city’s leadership — from elected officials to department heads — who openly shared how and why decisions are made. Whether learning about public safety, budgets, or infrastructure projects, hearing from the people behind the policies demystified local government and transformed me into an informed stakeholder.

Another rewarding experience was collaborating with fellow residents who share a passion for improving our community. The discussions we had, both in sessions and beyond, showed me how diverse perspectives can improve collaborative solutions. I know that many of us will stay connected after graduation, turning classmates into allies for civic action.

Finally, the academy equipped me with practical knowledge for better serving our city. With this training, I am better prepared to contribute to our civic life, especially through service on the city's boards and commissions. This program doesn’t just teach. It empowers residents to participate in how we are being governed. Little Rock is stronger when its citizens understand and engage with their government, and I am grateful that the R.O.C.K. Academy makes that possible.

Tonisha Davis

I’m proud to have completed R.O.C.K. Academy, an immersive, hands-on experience in city government that deepened my understanding of how our local government operates, mirroring the structure of our state and federal systems.
From engaging with the legislative branch through the Little Rock Board of Directors to gaining firsthand insight into the executive branch under the leadership of Mayor Frank Scott, Jr., this academy equipped us with the tools to be informed, engaged, and effective advocates for our communities.

Through this program, I’ve had the opportunity to build connections, collaborate with passionate peers, and explore real pathways to civic engagement — whether by serving on a commission, attending board meetings, or simply showing up and speaking out.

I’m committed to staying involved by advocating for R.O.C.K. Academy and encouraging more residents to step up, speak out, and help shape the future of our city. Together, we can drive meaningful change. 


Joshua Dunlap

I proudly completed R.O.C.K. Academy with the City of Little Rock, a seven-week course designed to teach residents how city government works from the inside out. I joined the program to better understand how our city operates so I can more effectively serve my community in Southwest Little Rock as a mentor with Pulaski County Youth Services and through the Upper Baseline Neighborhood Association.

Each week, we had the unique opportunity to hear directly from city leaders across departments like the Police Department, Fire Department, Finance Department, 311 services, and Community and Homeless Services. We learned how each department functions, how they collaborate, and how residents can access and benefit from these services. One of the most memorable moments was when Mayor Frank Scott, Jr.,  personally visited our class to speak about leadership, transparency, and the importance of civic involvement. His words were both inspiring and affirming.

Our class was led by Melissa Mitchell, a fellow Little Rock Mills graduate, who brought knowledge, heart, and patience to every session. She made the experience not only educational but also empowering.

R.O.C.K. Academy reminded me that change begins with understanding and involvement. I am excited to take what I have learned and continue building a stronger, more informed community.

Dayna Gober

My name is Dayna Gober and I am a Little Rock native. I learned about R.O.C.K. Academy through my current position as President of the Briarwood Area Neighborhood Association (BANA).


I wanted to attend R.O.C.K. Academy to learn more about our city government to best help my neighborhood. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience in the Academy and plan to take the knowledge learned and connections made to look for opportunities to help our neighborhood and midtown.

Over the past year as BANA President, I have been able to meet many city leaders, but attending the academy allowed me to learn more details about how our city government is managed, meet additional city leaders, and form a deeper connection with city leaders as I advocate for our residents.

I have a vision for our neighborhood and midtown area and feel certain my experience with R.O.C.K. Academy will prove to be valuable in achieving these goals. Our cohort plans to continue meeting and work on city initiatives. I encourage anyone interested in learning more about our city government to get involved and apply for the next R.O.C.K. Academy.

Brighton Huynh

As someone embarking on a public service career, I knew I could not truly serve the community without understanding its most relevant government structure: the city. Over the past seven weeks, I was able to learn more about the contextual boundaries around a lot of the non-profit and research work I'd done in the past.

Equipped with this new information, I hope to utilize that knowledge to be a much more engaged citizen able to navigate these structures efficiently. A major takeaway was a wholehearted desire to serve among all of the city departments that visited us. From planning to fire to animal services, everyone was warm, collegial, and ready to teach.
 
As such, I highly recommend this program to anyone who'd like to make both the city and their tax-dollars better serve them.

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We are grateful for our R.O.C.K. Academy attendees who devoted their time and attention to this worthy initiative, and appreciate Melissa Mitchell, our creative economy and special projects advisor, for leading this program. 

Be watching in coming months for information about how you can be a part of the next R.O.C.K. Academy class!

City officials and community partners recently launched two new programs that encourage residents to support specific needs: Little Rock School District school lunch debt and new amenities for Little Rock's 22 fire stations.

In April, Ward 3 City Director Kathy Webb and the Little Rock Food Commission announced "Lunch on Us," a fundraising effort in coordination with LRSD. Residents may donate to "Lunch on Us" in order to assist in paying down more than $170,000 in school lunch debt. This initiative helps to ensure every student can receive a complete, nutritious meal each school day.

Last week, I joined Ward 4 Director Capi Peck, At-Large Director Joan Adcock and VIce-Mayor B.J. Wyrick to kick off the "Love Your Firefighters" campaign. Through this program, residents can give back to the firefighters who answer the call every day. The money raised through "Love Your Firefighters" will be allocated for furniture, equipment and supplies at Little Rock's 22 fire stations.

Through this program, residents can take part in the city's commitment to the Little Rock Fire Department by giving back to the firefighters who answer the call every day. The money raised through "Love Your Firefighters" will be allocated for furniture, equipment and supplies at Little Rock's 22 fire stations, in addition to the $2.5 million I am proposing we set aside to pay for building improvements and renovations at our fire stations. As a City, we remain fully committed to meeting the needs of our firefighters. More than 60 percent of the City's annual budget is directed toward public safety.

Donations to either program are tax deductible, and 100 percent of all money received goes directly to the intended recipients through the City's nonprofit, Little Rock Cares.

To donate, visit the Board Initiatives page on the City of Little Rock website.

• The Little Rock Board of Directors will meet Tuesday, May 20, at 6 p.m. in the Board Room at City Hall, 500 W. Markham St. All board meetings are livestreamed on the City's Facebook and YouTube channels.
• The City Parks Conservancy, Little Rock Parks and Recreation and Trio's Restaurant will host a fundraiser for Reservoir Park on Wednesday, May 21, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Trio's, 8201 Cantrell Road, Suite 100. Money raised at the event will be used to restore Reservoir Park, which was heavily damaged by the March 31, 2023, tornado.
• The City Beautiful Commission will meet Thursday, May 22, at 4 p.m. in the Board Room at City Hall. The City Beautiful Commission considers variances to the Little Rock landscape ordinances and citywide beautification efforts.
• In observance of Memorial Day, city offices will be closed on Monday, May 26. Regular sanitation and recycling pick-up will be delayed by one day next week because of the holiday. The next newsletter will be published on Monday, June 2.