LITTLE ROCK (KTHV) - The Arkansas Black Hall of Fame earns a spot in Hero Central after awarding nearly 20 non-profits state-wide with grants to carry out vital missions.
They cover everything from promoting the arts to the health of our seniors, plus multiple programs serving Arkansas kids.
Eighteen recipients from across Arkansas made their way to the microphone Thursday night at the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center in Little Rock.
"It is my pleasure to be able to describe the impact that this grant is going to enable us to do," said a representative from the Arkansas Arts Center.
"We are ecstatic, astounded, amazed, blessed, impressed and encouraged," said LaKisha Johnson with Sickle Cell Support Services of Little Rock.
From the Arkansas Arts Center to Sickle Cell Support Services, everyone was grateful for a grant from the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame.
"You should be very proud because I think we had an excess of a hundred grant applications and you were the lucky 18," Charles Stewart said.
Chairman of the Board Charles Stewart led Thursday's ceremony, honoring these non-profits with a combined $50,000.
"Anytime we receive funding, it's like 'ooh' we got $5, 'ooh' we got $10, so $2,500 dollars, 'ooh' we got $2500!" Johnson exclaims.
LaKisha Johnson, with Sickle Cell Support Services, topped the most animated reactions. But when it comes to her cause, helping kids with Sickle Cell disease, there's no joking around.
"When we talk to them, they say everyone seems to forget about us," Johnson said.
But her group won't forget about the kids and with this grant comes new case management.
"So we can put a care plan in place for them that they can follow throughout the year, that their families can follow throughout the year," Johnson said.
It's one of many notable missions from the people at this microphone.
This was the 8th year for this grant program by the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame. They specifically target efforts in black and other under-served communities state-wide.
Here is a list of all 18 grant recipients:
-Area Agency on Aging of Southwest Arkansas, Inc.
-Argenta Community Development Corporation
-Arkansas Arts Center
-Arkansas Public Policy Panel
-Arkansas Foodbank
-Arkansas Repertory Theaters
-Ashley County Medical Center/Bradley County Medical Center
-Community Empowerment Council, Inc.
-Daughters of Charity Services of Arkansas
-Delta Community Based Services, Inc.
-Feed the Kids
-LifeHouse Ministries, Inc.
-Little Rock Preparatory Academy
-Our House, Inc.
-Petit Jean Youth Foundation
-Sickle Cell Support Services
-Students That Officially Patrol (STOP)