Page 5 - Leadership of Greater LR 2020

ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE • CLASS XXXV OF THE LEADERSHIP GREATER LITTLE ROCK SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2020 5N
MEET THE XXXV CHAIR
An uncommon class for uncommon times
Leadership Greater Little Rock is a leadership program designed
to expose community leaders to all facets of the city, giving them insider details about what’s working and what needs work to ensure the success of the city and its communities. The program instills
in participants the desire to seek opportunities to help improve experiences for all citizens. So when I was asked to serve as chairman of Class XXXV, I was elated. I was excited for the opportunity to spend nine months with a diverse group of professionals with an interest
in learning about our great city. I was anxious to hear their thoughts about Little Rock and their ideas to enhance what’s working or solutions to fix what’s not. Class XXXV did not disappoint me. During the first session, it was clear that this group was inquisitive and didn’t mind asking questions or giving comments. From reflecting on the history of race relations in Little Rock to encouraging each other to run for office in the near future, this class was open to intelligently discussing it all.
One of the many wonderful aspects of the LGLR program is the accumulation of friendships. Over the course of the program, budding friendships are inevitable. I was prepared to watch an evolution of friendships blossom over time, but members of Class XXXV were in
a hurry. They became friends almost instantly, not only supporting each other in the program but during personal moments outside of the program as well. From attending a military promotion, singing the national anthem as a favor and attending a holiday gala to support our youth, this group was there. They respected each other as leaders and liked each other as individuals.
A competitive sort, members of Class XXXV heard about the scholarship record set by Class XXXIV and were determined to set their own record. After six consecutive sessions, members were well on their way to raising scholarship funds for the next class when, suddenly, the world stopped. During the session on education, we learned that Gov. Asa Hutchinson closed schools a week before spring break in Pulaski County and neighboring counties due to the coronavirus, or what we now know as COVID-19. That announcement was later followed by Mayor Frank Scott issuing a citywide curfew
to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in the city of Little Rock. We
all tried to make sense of what we were learning ... our immediate thoughts going to what mattered most — our families, our friends, our communities.
Our world was seized by a pandemic that brought with it tragedies unimagined and devastation unfathomed. As a society, we were learning about COVID-19 as this virus spread into our states, cities and neighborhoods. It changed how everyone communicated and interacted. Social distancing became a thing, and video conferencing was the new normal for many organizations, including LGLR.
Though another leadership session was scheduled, it was clearly overshadowed by our new realities. In lieu of the session, a video conference was coordinated for Class XXXV to allow its members
to check on each other. Their humanity was shown through their concerns for each other and the country. With the impact of COVID-19 on their families and, for some, their employment, members of
Class XXXV were more interested in how they could help the community during this unprecedented time. They made plans to help in various ways, with one being to assist the partnership between the Clinton Presidential Center, the Little Rock School District and the city of Little Rock in distributing food to children in the city.
Their willingness to help is a testament to the kind of people members of Class XXXV are and the caliber of program LGLR is.
I would like to thank our many sponsors for your support of this program; it could not exist as it is without you. I would like to thank the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce for giving me the opportunity to lead this dynamic group of individuals.
Thanks to Melinda Moody,
executive director of LGLR,
and Keith Riggs, Class XXXV
co-chairman, for all of your help in
making Class XXXV the success
it was. And to the members of
Class XXXV, I thank you for your
unwavering commitment to the
program and our city in the face
of an international health threat.
All of us were touched, all forever
changed, but all strong in our
resolve to help our city be a better
place. It has been a pleasure to
work with you, an uncommon class
for uncommon times.
Danyell Crutchfield Cummings
Class XXXV Chairman
Congratulations Annie Depper!
Fuqua Campbell, P.A. is proud to recognize Annie Depper, partner of the firm, as a graduate of Leadership of Greater Little Rock Class of XXXV! Our entire firm is honored to work with such a well-respected, hard-working and driven individual. We could not be happier to have Annie a part of our team!
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