Press Release FY 2011

The Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission is moving forward into the new fiscal year with a rejuvenated sense of pride and purpose and is looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead. The AMLCK has achieved many new heights during the past fiscal year under the exceptional guidance from the commission’s chair, Phil Kaplan and the commissioners, as well as from the outstanding leadership of their Executive Director, DuShun Scarbrough:

Highlights from the past fiscal year include:

• Executive Director, Mr. Scarbrough was given the distinctive honor and opportunity of attending the Harvard John F. Kennedy School of Government for a course entitled Driving Government Performance in April, 2011. The admission process is rigorous, and admittance is limited to the cream of the crop, and only with the recommendation of recognized business, political and community leaders.  The course has already proved to be invaluable to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission; in June, 2011, the agency received a 0 deficiency rating for their first audit under the direction of Mr. Scarbrough. The audit performed by the State of Arkansas Legislative Auditor’s Office cover fiscal year 2009 and fiscal year 2010. 
• The unveiling the Arkansas African American History Maker’s Coloring Book – Volume III, in March 2011, which features many outstanding individuals who helped shape Arkansas history.  Now that school is back in session, they will continue distributing the remainder of the coloring books to children throughout the state, while also working on volume IV, which will feature individuals from the Civil War and Reconstruction Era.
• Partnering with Cloverdale Aerospace Technology Conversion Charter Middle School, eStem Public Charter School, Hall High School, Hamilton Learning Academy, Jack Robey Junior High School, and McClellan Magnet High School throughout the 2010/2011 school year. Through this partnership, AMLCK outreach coordinators visited these schools and held various presentations about leadership, education, and acceptance of diversity as well as mentored these students in the areas of résumé building, conflict resolution, professional development, scholarship research, and more.
• Several events held in January, 2011, in honor of Dr. King’s birthday:
  • The annual Martin Luther King Jr.  Birthday Bash, at eStem Public Charter High School in Little Rock, AR. John Bacon – eStem CEO was guest speaker. 
  •  Executive Director, DuShun Scarbrough, touring the state of Arkansas and speaking at various locations as keynote speaker, including Benton, Paris, Fort Smith, Pine Bluff, Fayetteville and North Little Rock. 
  • The annual “A Day of Service” at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. In honor of Dr. King and Rosa Parks, Central Arkansas Transit Authority in conjunction with the Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission, provides free bus rides throughout Central Arkansas on this day each year. This year the AMLKC, along with the Olive Garden Restaurants, were able to reach out to and feed approximately 2000 individuals, of which, about 60% were of the homeless and less fortunate community. 

• The First Annual Coretta Scott King Women’s Conference in February, 2011, was held at the Hawkins Women’s Unit in Wrightsville in the spirit of Dr. King, and his right hand and beloved wife, Mrs. Coretta Scott King. The conference targeted women in our state correctional system and  was geared toward helping these women regain some of their self-esteem as well as the goals and dreams they have lost due to their current circumstances as well as assisting those about to be released with tools necessary to lead productive lives. The event featured motivational and educational workshops ranging from living a positive life in spite of the bars, dressinging for success, self-esteem and living the principles of nonviolence as espoused by Dr. King. The ladies were also treated the ladies to make-up lessons, chair massages, fellowship and a special catered lunch, provided by Red Lobster.
• The Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Vigil was held on April 4, 2011, at the State Capitol. The vigil is a celebration in remembrance of the death of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This year the AMLCK filled the Capitol to the rafters with over 1,000 attendees.  
• The Commissions’ forth Nonviolence Youth Summit was held at the State Capitol in Little Rock in May. Nonviolence Youth Summit Part IV’s theme was anti-bullying due to the recent incidents of bullying and cyber bullying, and drew approximately 400 children throughout Central Arkansas.  The guest speaker for this event was Rabbi Kalman Winnick of Congregarion Agudath Achim of Little Rock.  They also held their 3rd Annual “Our Beloved Community” Luncheon at King Interdistrict Magnet Elementary, in Little Rock. The luncheon is a token of our appreciation and a reminder to the leaders of the community of the importance of their contentious participation, contributions, and support of the AMLKC.
• In June 2011, for the third year, the AMKLC held the L.E.A.D. Apprenticeship Training Workshop, in which summer youth interns participate, developing skills in communication, conflict resolution, financial literacy, strategic thinking and marketing, etc, as well as educate in the areas of business etiquette, entrepreneurship, and leadership.

Executive Director, DuShun Scarbrough states “We recognize that although we have come a long way, we must continue to forge ahead to fulfill the Dreamer’s Dream.”

If you need any additional information or assistance, please contact the Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission at 501-683-1300.