1. Keesa Smith Named Executive Director of Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families
“We are grateful that, after a long and careful search, we have a new executive director,” said Ryan Davis, AACF Board of Directors President. “Keesa has a strong commitment to the children and families of Arkansas, and she is prepared to lead AACF to new heights.”
Keesa will be only the fifth Executive Director in AACF’s 45-year history. The previous directors were Jo Luck, 1978-1979; Don Crary, 1979-1988; Amy Rossi, 1988-2003; and Rich Huddleston, 2004-2022.
“I am excited and look forward to continuing AACF’s long history of advocating on behalf of our state’s most vulnerable population, our children,” said Keesa. “For more than 45 years, AACF has played a key role in keeping children’s issues at the forefront of people’s minds. I can’t wait to begin this new role and continue the work of improving the lives of Arkansas’s children and families.”
2. {Rescheduled} Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau Launches “Experience Little Rock in Color” Video Series
Who: Gina Gemberling, president & CEO, Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau (LRCVB); Kasey Summerville, vice president of marketing, communications, & community engagement, LRCVB; Quantia “Key” Fletcher, director of the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center; Bishop Robert Rudolph, Church of God in Christ; Ebonie Anderson, Songstress; LRCVB members; and community and business leaders.
3. Say It Loud! Readers and Writers Presents What Happens When A Dream Isn’t Deferred? Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Langston Hughes – A Literary Gathering for Middle Schoolers
4. The Hot Springs NAACP Hosts ‘Voices of Elaine: The 1919 Arkansas Massacre and Its Ongoing Impact’
5. Urbane Magazine Celebrates Its 2 Year Anniversary
6. Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families + Community Partners Host “Aftershock”
“Following the preventable deaths of loved ones due to childbirth complications, two families galvanize activists, birth-workers and physicians to reckon with one of the most pressing American crises of our time – the US maternal health crisis.”
A reception will be hosted before the screening and a panel discussion following the film.
7. Divas in the Rock: A Whitney Houston Tribute Concert
Opera in the Rock announces two unforgettable nights of music and celebration with “Diva’s in the Rock: A Whitney Houston Tribute.”
Featured vocalists are Adrianne Collins, Crissy P., Nia Renee and NaJe–with a special appearance by Nicky Parrish.
The two-night-only event is Saturday, Feb. 11 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 12 at 3 p.m. at The Hall. Tickets are $75 per person and are available at littlerockhall.com/tickets/ or at The Hall’s box office at 721 West 9th Street.