Home

Honorees

Sponsors

Foundation

Nomination

Photo Gallery

Committee

Grants

News & Events

Grants Available from
Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Foundation


This year, the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Foundation (ABHOF) awarded over $41,000 dollars in grants to 17 non-profit organizations. The reception was held on Tuesday, July 24th, 2007 in the Rotunda of the Statehouse Convention Center for the grant recipients and portraits were unveiled of the 2006 Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Inductees.

Grants from the foundation support programs and projects that address challenges and opportunities in African-American and other under served communities throughout Arkansas. The grants are focused in four categories:
  • Education
  • Health and Wellness
  • Youth Development
  • Small Business and/or Economic Development
Charles Stewart, Chairman of the ABHOF stated that, "We are very proud of how the organization continues to help strengthen communities across Arkansas. The Arkansas Black Hall of Fame plays a vital role in re-seeding African-American and other under served communities and setting a solid foundation for the future," says Stewart. "From these communities, future Hall of Fame Inductees will rise, and ABHOF will be there to assure that this cycle continues for years to come."

The Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Foundation is a fund of the Arkansas Community Foundation, which has been building philanthropy in Arkansas through its work with donors, non-profits and communities for more than a quarter of a century. Established through the vision of the Rockefeller Foundation and the commitment of a number of community leaders throughout the state, the Arkansas Community Foundation remains Arkansas' only statewide community foundation.

Application packets are available for downloading by clicking the link below or from ARCF, 700 South Rock, Little Rock, AR 72202 or email request to the following email address cpatterson@arcf.org. Deadline is April 14, 2008.



(Grant awards will generally be in the $1000.00 to $2,500.00 range, but may approach $5,000)

Grants Received


Black Community Developers Chicot County Health Network
Clarksville for Amateur Boxing Program Delta Your Empower Project, Marianna
Faith, Love & Hope Youth, Texarkana J. Austin White Cultural Center
KIPP Delta College Preparatory School,
Helena/West Helena
Lee County Community Development Corp.
Targeting Our People's Priorities with
Services (TOPPS, Inc.), Pine Bluff
The Salvation Army, Little Rock
Union Grove Concerned Citizens, Camden Arkansas Foodbank Network, Rural Arkansas
Good Hope CDC, Wheatley Pine Stree Free Clinic, Conway
City Year, Little Rock Arkansas Coalition Against Sexual Assault
Against Women of Color, Statewide
Boys & Girls Club, El Dorado



ARKANSAS BLACK HALL OF FAME FOUNDATION
2007 GRANT AWARDS


Organization:
Black Community Developers, Little Rock

Award:
$2,500

Project Summary:
This program is designed to address mental health issues affecting the community. It provides a training manual to facilitate nonviolent conflict resolutions in youth transitioning to adulthood within four years. These therapy sessions will include group sessions that incorporate communication, decision making, conflict resolution and anger management skills. The program also focuses on youth leadership and life skill development in an effort to reduce homicides by promoting peaceful conflict resolution.


Organization:
Chicot County Health Network

Award:
$2,120

Project Summary:
This program is designed to prevent future complications from diabetes by conducting a school-based diabetes screening among Chicot County school-age children. The project will include diabetes screenings on-site at Lakeside Schools through the Network's Mobile Health screening unit, a notification will be sent to parents if a child is diagnosed with the disease. They will also be informed of its dangers and will be given assistance through diet counseling and weight management.


Organization:
Clarksville-Johnson City County Development Foundation,
Clarksville for Amateur Boxing Program

Award:
$3,717

Project Summary:
This program's motto is: "We Build Champions Both In and Out of the Ring."

Coaches Clifford and Andy May work with Hispanic, Black and Caucasian youth in Johnson County, teaching them boxing skills and how to work as a team, while building their self-esteem. Coming from a large family with few opportunities, Clifford May, explains how boxing changed his outlook on life. As a member of the U.S. Boxing Team, May traveled to Hawaii, Europe and boxed in Madison Square Garden. He believes other underprivileged kids can also realize their dreams through boxing.


Organization:
Delta Your Empower Project, Marianna

Award:
$3,350

Project Summary:
The Delta Your Empower Project (DYE) is designed to empower youth (ages 9-12) to become active civic leaders in the Lee County Community through academic, social and experiential enrichment. The DYE project is an after school program for 20 grade school youth. The program is created to empower students through five program components; leadership, academic, service, health and the arts.


Organization:
Faith, Love & Hope Youth, Texarkana

Award:
$2,500

Project Summary:
The primary purpose of Faith, Love & Hope is to foster positive youth development by teaching the art and skills of sewing to at-risk youth living in low income areas of Texarkana, Arkansas. Several factors make it difficult for youth living in poverty stricken areas to achieve their full potential. Such things as unemployment, high drop out rates, pregnancy and drugs are some primary barriers that contribute to the problems of these youth. This project will prepare them to improve the quality of life for themselves and their families in both childhood and adulthood. By receiving training in their teen and preteen years, they will get an early start at a reliable source of an income and/or a productive hobby.


Organization:
J. Austin White Cultural Center

Award:
$1,000

Project Summary:
The J. Austin White Cultural Center holds a series of classes preparing teenage children to become adults in a business environment. These classes teach telephone manners and how to properly set a table in a formal setting. It also teaches proper table etiquette. The session finale ends with the Board of Directors and students participating together at a formal dinner in a home. The Host Home and Board of Directors observe and evaluate the students and the program. It is instructed by Barbara Brandon, a retired Home Economics Teacher.


Organization:
KIPP Delta College Preparatory School, Helena/West Helena

Award:
$3,000

Project Summary:
KIPP Delta College Preparatory School (DCPS) strives to equip our students with the knowledge, skills and character traits necessary to succeed in the nation's finest colleges and become exemplary citizens of their community, country and world. One of the most cherished and anticipated components of the eighth grade year are the end of year Civil Rights History Field Lesson. While this field lesson offers a break from classroom intensity, it also poses challenging activities that allow students to apply academic knowledge, build character skills and truly experience what they have studied all year. This trip also allows students to gain experience and confidence in environments outside their homes and regions while exposing them to college campuses and the preparations necessary for admission.


Organization:
Lee County Community Development Corp.

Award:
$2,500

Project Summary:
"The Lee County CDF Summer Freedom School Program" is a partnership between the Children's Defense Fund and local community organization, Lee County CDC, to provide enriching summer opportunities for youth in underserved communities. This unique program uses a literacy-based curriculum that focuses on youth leadership, cultural enrichment, parent empowerment, civic engagement and social action. For more information on this project you can log on to www.freedomschools.org.


Organization:
Targeting Our People's Priorities with Services (TOPPS, Inc.), Pine Bluff

Award:
$2,500

Project Summary:
TOPPS, Inc. has developed a program entitled: "Excel for Changing Steps". This program is designed to build self esteem, trust, leadership skills, effective communication and personal performance. The young ladies of Changing Steps will stay over night at the dynamic Excel camp. Here they will grow socially and learn life-time skills to become effective and productive members of their community. The girls will also be able to use the knowledge information gained at camp in school, and apply it to everyday societal situations.


Organization:
The Salvation Army, Little Rock

Award:
$2,474

Project Summary:
The Salvation Army has created a program called: "A Calculated Success." The Salvation Army has received calls from junior and senior high school students who are eligible for accelerated classes in math. Their families do not have the means to afford the cost of the graphing calculators to (50) students attending public schools in Pulaski County. This grant will help the Salvation Army to cover the cost for students who need the right materials to succeed in their Advance Math Classes.


Organization:
Union Grove Concerned Citizens, Camden

Award:
$1,500

Project Summary:
Union Grove Concerned Citizens, Inc. recently had a metal building erected on their property. This grant will assist them in installing plumbing in the building. When the building is finished, the organization will plan to have community activities that will enhance their community.


Organization:
Arkansas Foodbank Network, Rural Arkansas

Award:
$5,000

Project Summary:
The title of the Arkansas Foodbank Network's project is called "Backpack for Kids". This program is specifically designed for kids to stop debilitating effects of childhood hunger. This project is a collaborative initiative between the Arkansas Foodbank Network and elementary schools in mostly rural areas to meet the hunger needs of children by providing them with meals and snacks as well as nutritional education. The unique part of this program is that the backpacks are provided each Friday of the school year so that kids are able to eat during the weekend.


Organization:
Good Hope CDC, Wheatley

Award:
$1,500

Project Summary:
The Good Hope Opportunity Development Corporation's Project is for Education and Youth Development. The project includes four months of activities which includes field trips, seminars and workshops for project exposure. The grant will fund books, supplies and new resources for the community center.


Organization:
Pine Stree Free Clinic, Conway

Award:
$2,500

Project Summary:
Central Arkansas has experienced an increase in homicides and physical attacks, of which youth offenders commit a substantial number of such crimes. The Pine Street Free Clinic is located in a neighborhood that is comprised of predominantly African American, low-income residents. The youth would significantly benefit from mental health visitation and counseling services-offered as a mechanism to empower youth.


Organization:
City Year, Little Rock

Award:
$1,500

Project Summary:
City Year's Project promotes "Young Heroes-Health and Wellness." The mission of Young Heroes is to unite diverse 6th, 7th and 8th grade students in service-based learning and leadership development while addressing pressing community needs like hunger and homelessness, youth violence and drug and alcohol abuse. Health and wellness is one topic covered and is used as a theme throughout the program to encourage the youth to get and stay active.


Organization:
Arkansas Coalition Against Sexual Assault Against Women of Color, Statewide

Award:
$1,000

Project Summary:
The National Organization of Sisters of Color Ending Sexual Assault (SCESA) is committed to institutionalizing Women of Color and their experiences into the fabric of the anti-sexual assault movement on our own terms, without compromising our cultural values as a people.

SCESA strives to operate in a manner that values our philosophy of supporting Women of Color and incorporates our history and culture as People of Color. This philosophy has to be infused in everything from organizational management to the way we provide trainings and create opportunities that truly involve the diverse experiences of Women of Color.

A significant portion of SCESA's work is committed to enhancing and supporting the leadership of Women of Color. SCESA focuses on redefining the concepts of leadership and mentoring to allow for connections to our cultural roots. This includes the ideals of sharing, nurturing and the notion of cyclical leadership. Cyclical leadership acknowledges the responsibility of all Women of Color to work in community (and in sisterhood) with each other agreeing that no Sister is successful unless all Sisters are successful.


Organization:
Boys & Girls Club, El Dorado

Award:
$2,500

Project Summary:
The Boys & Girls Club of El Dorado, both Main and Southeast Units, will provide Graduation goals for 75 teens (ACT Prep) and 300 younger youth throughout the year. Students would receive curriculum training, one-on-one tutoring, homework help/assistance, computer technology training, educational programs/events, field trips, and educational games for skill enhancement.


Arkansas Coalition Against Sexual Assault
Against Women of Color, Statewide
Arkansas Foodbank Network, Rural Arkansas
Black Community Development El Dorado Boys and Girls Club
Chicot County Health Network City Year, Little Rock
Clarksville for Amateur Boxing Program Good Hope CDC, Wheatley
KIPP Delta College Preparatory School,
Helena/West Helena
Lee County Community Developers Corp.
Pine Stree Free Clinic, Conway The Salvation Army, Little Rock
Targeting Our People's Priorities with
Services (TOPPS, Inc.), Pine Bluff
Union Grove Concerned Citizens, Camden

(C) Copyright 2005-2006 Arkansas Black Hall of Fame