September 25, 1957 – The Little Rock Nine enter Little Rock Central High School for good

Posted on September 25, 2019 by Scott

After legal challenges, stymied attempts, and literally countless threats, it was on Wednesday, September 25, 1957, that the group of African American students known as the Little Rock Nine actually entered Little Rock Central High School for a full day. They would return each day through the end of the school year.

Unlike September 23, when they went in a side door before being hustled a few hours later for their own protection, on September 25 they walked in the front door. They did so escorted by members of the 101st Airborne who had been ordered to Little Rock by President Eisenhower.

Much has been written about the events of September 25, 1957. Several of the participants that day have penned memoirs.

Whatever I would write today would pale in comparison to the accounts of those who lived it.

So I just end this with words of gratitude to:

Melba Pattillo Beals
Elizabeth Eckford
Ernest Green
Gloria Ray Karlmark
Carlotta Walls LaNier
Terrence Roberts
Jefferson Thomas
Minnijean Brown Trickey
Thelma Mothershed Wair

Thank you to these nine pioneers, who were simply teenagers trying to have equal education opportunities. Thank you to their parents, their families, their pastors, their legal team, their support system. Thank you to Daisy and L. C. Bates, Wiley Branton Sr. Chris Mercer, and Thurgood Marshall for the roles they played.

While Jefferson Thomas passed away in 2010, the other eight continue to tell their stories and speak truth to audiences ranging from one to thousands and ages from pre-school to seniors.

Ike sends the 101st to Little Rock, announces in national TV address on Sept. 24, 1957

Posted on September 24, 2019 by Scott

On September 24, 1957, President Dwight Eisenhower ordered the 101st Airborne to Little Rock to ensure that the Little Rock Nine would be able to enter Central High School.

In a thirteen minute televised White House address to the nation, President Eisenhower stated he had acted to prevent “mob rule.” The President made his decision about the troops while vacationing in Rhode Island. But he flew to Washington DC to deliver the address from the White House. In his remarks, he stated that he felt it was important to discuss this action from the house of Lincoln.

Following the President’s noontime decision, 1,000 members of the 101st Airborne Division were flown to Little Rock. In addition, all 10,000 members of the Arkansas National Guard were “federalized.”

Earlier in the day, Little Rock Mayor Woodrow Mann had pleaded with the President and US Attorney General for federal intervention. He stated that the Little Rock police could not quell the crowds alone.

Tiger Foundation honors Nichols, Trice, O’Neill, and Porters tonight

Posted on September 24, 2019 by Scott

Tonight, September 24, 2019, the Tiger Foundation hosts its annual “Awards of Excellence” event at Ron Robinson Theater from 6:00 to 9:00 pm.

This year’s event will highlight the achievements and contributions to the arts of distinguished Little Rock Central High Alumni:

Jeff Nichols: Acclaimed film director and screen writer known for his movies Loving, Mud, and Midnight Special
Craig O’Neill: From prank calls to disc jockey, to entering our hearts and homes each night on THV11
Art Porter Family: Well-known for their extraordinary musical ability and legacy of continued education in music through scholarships
Will Trice: Three-time Tony Award winning producer and Executive Artistic Director of the Arkansas Repertory Theater

Each year, the Tiger Foundation honors those who have made a special impact on Little Rock Central High in one of the four pillars of education that the Tiger Foundation has adopted: Academics, Arts, Athletics, and Citizenship.

Previous honorees are:

2016 – the Very Rev. Dr. Christoph Keller, III, Julie Keller, and the late Roosevelt Thompson
2017 – Sam Blair, Dr. Sybil Jordan Hampton
2018 – Muskie Harris, Clyde Horton, and Brooks Robinson

Sept. 23, 1957 – The Little Rock Nine are in Central High briefly

Posted on September 23, 2019 by Scott

On Monday, September 23, 1957, the Little Rock Nine entered Central High School for a few hours.

The previous Friday, Federal District Judge Ronald Davies ruled that Governor Faubus had used the National Guard to keep the Little Rock Nine out of the school. At this point, the Governor withdrew the troops. The duty of maintaining any order on the site and ensuring the safety of the students now fell solely on the Little Rock Police Department.

To minimize interactions with aggressive protestors who were outside of the school, the Nine were escorted into the side of the school. Word quickly spread that they had made it into the building. This caused the 1,000 or more people out front to become more hostile.

Threats were called into the building. Some parents of white children called wanting to get their students out of the building. Some students snuck out of the building, while at the same time some of the crowd were trying to sneak in. The situation was tense and getting more so by the minute.

Little Rock Mayor Woodrow Mann and police leadership were concerned about the ability of the City to protect the Nine and maintain order. The Fire Department refused to use water from a firehose to disperse the crowd.

For the safety of the Little Rock Nine the students were removed from the building after having been in it only a few hours.

As part of Central High Integration 60th anniversary, Clay Enoch’s UNITED sculpture was dedicated on Sep 22, 2017

Posted on September 22, 2019 by Scott

Clay Enoch’s sculpture UNITED was dedicated to kick off the public events for the commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the Central High School integration by the Little Rock Nine.

The piece, which depicts two figures working together to close two circles, is located in front of Little Rock Central High School.

Enoch was joined at the dedication by several members of the Little Rock Nine, City of Little Rock officials, and current Central High School personnel.

City Director Dean Kumpuris and Little Rock Nine member Ernest Green (who was celebrating a birthday that day) made remarks about the importance of the message of United. Enoch discussed his process in creating the sculpture.

Principal Nancy Rousseau accepted the sculpture on behalf of the school. Then Mr. Enoch, Mr. Green, and current Central High students unveiled the sculpture.

The sculpture was installed by Little Rock Parks and Recreation staff. The Central High School PTSA has landscaped the area around the sculpture and maintains it.

Enoch was chosen through a national public monument commission process sponsored by Sculpture at the River Market.

Happy Birthday to Ernest Green

Posted on September 22, 2019 by Scott

Ernest Green’s sixteenth birthday was probably more memorable than most people’s. It was not about getting a car, it was about wondering if he would ever get to attend Little Rock Central High School.

Born on September 22, 1941, he was the son of Lothaire S. and Ernest G. Green. In 1957, his birthday was on a Sunday. The next day, the Little Rock Nine would spend a few hours in Central High School before being escorted out for their own safety. However, three days after his birthday, escorted by members of the 101st Airborne Division of the US Army, he finally entered Central to complete the school year.

In May 1958, he became the first African American to graduate from Little Rock Central High School. At the age of seventeen he was awarded the NAACP’s Spingarn Medal, as one of the Little Rock Nine. He then obtained a B.S. in Social Science and Masters in Sociology from Michigan State University.

Featured in the 2006 list of Black Enterprise Magazine’s “75 Most Powerful Blacks on Wall Street”, Ernest has served as senior investment banker on transactions for such key clients as the City of New York, State of New York, City of Chicago, Port of Oakland, City of Atlanta, State of Connecticut, Detroit Wayne County Airport, Denver Airport, and the Washington Metropolitan Airport Authority.

He served as Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training during the Carter Administration. President Clinton appointed him to serve as Chairman of the African Development Foundation. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley, appointed him Chairman of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Capital Financing Advisory Board.

In 1995, he was awarded the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. Ernest Green is also a recipient of the Urban League’s Frederick Douglass Freedom Medal, and the John D. Rockefeller Public Service Award. On November 9, 1999, with the Little Rock Nine, he was presented by President Clinton with the Congressional Gold Medal. He holds honorary doctorates from Michigan State University, Tougaloo College, and Central State University.

Several books, movies and documentaries have chronicled his and his eight classmates’ historic year at Central High School in Little Rock — the most recent being the “Ernest Green Story”, produced and distributed by the Walt Disney Corporation.

He and his wife Phyllis live in Washington, D. C. He is the proud father of Adam, Jessica and McKenzie Ann.

CALS comes to the River Market on September 20, 1997

Posted on September 20, 2019 by Scott

On September 20, 1997, the Central Arkansas Library System debuted its new main library building. The building had previously been the Fones Brothers Warehouse building and was repurposed by the Polk Stanley Yeary architectural firm.

The grand opening festivities included storytellers for children throughout the day as well as various special activities. Linked balloons made to resemble bookworms greeted visitors to the front entrance.

The move and expansion were the dream of then-CALS Director Bobby Roberts. The previous library space had limited parking and was in a confined (and confining) space with no room for expansion.

To prepare for the move from the old location at 7th and Louisiana Streets, the library’s main branch had closed in July. They had to inventory the existing materials in anticipation of the move. The actual transport of the 250,000 books was accomplished in three 16-hour work days by the 65 member staff.

The project cost $13 million dollars, most of which came from a millage approved by voters. The 200 seat auditorium was funded by overdue book fines and areas for the employees were financed by a patron bequest.

At the time it opened, the fifth floor remained undeveloped.

Since September 1997, the fifth floor has been developed and CALS has ultimately developed over one city block in what is now known as Library Square.

Little Rock Culture Vulture

Cultural events, places and people in the Little Rock area

Category Archives: Civic Engagement

September 25, 1957 – The Little Rock Nine enter Little Rock Central High School for good

Ike sends the 101st to Little Rock, announces in national TV address on Sept. 24, 1957

Tiger Foundation honors Nichols, Trice, O’Neill, and Porters tonight

Sept. 23, 1957 – The Little Rock Nine are in Central High briefly

As part of Central High Integration 60th anniversary, Clay Enoch’s UNITED sculpture was dedicated on Sep 22, 2017

Happy Birthday to Ernest Green

CALS comes to the River Market on September 20, 1997

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