LITTLE ROCK — A bevy of formally clad guests gathered Oct. 15 at the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion for the VIP reception preceding the 19th annual Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
Greeting attendees were Charles Stewart, event co-founder and chairman; Gov. Mike Beebe; honorary cochairmen Shirley and Roger Pleasant; and Kia Malone, co-anchor of syndicated TV program The Daily Buzz and master of ceremonies for the induction.
Inductees presented during the reception included Joseph Jackson, father and manager of the Jackson 5, who was born in Fountain Hill in Ashley County and lived there until he was 12.
Other inductees were Kathryn Hall-Trujillo, global social entrepreneur and founder of Birthing Project USA; Robert L. Williams, psychologist and educator; and Katie and Abraham Carpenter Sr. and Abraham Carpenter Jr., agricultural and business leaders.
Phyllis Carter-Kendrick accepted the award on behalf of her father, the late radio and music industry personality Leo Louis “Jocko” Carter. Annette Fisher stood in for her son Derek Fisher, five-time National Basketball Association world champion with the Los Angeles Lakers and president of the National Basketball Players Association.
The ceremony, a fundraiser for the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Foundation, was held later that evening at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock.
High Profile, Pages 42 on 10/23/2011