MLK Legacy Tributes from The College of Aspiring Artists (TCAA) to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., began 31 years ago, beginning January 15, 1990, as producers the 1st National King Holiday Entertainment Tribute in Memphis, TN at the Orpheum Theatre for three years. TCAA, under the development of Rev. Arthur L. Hunt, Jr., went on to produce the opening celebration for the National Civil Rights Museum in 1991. Keynote speakers included, Martin Luther King, III, Dr. E.V. Hill, and Clifton Davis. The tribute of entertainment drew over 40,000 people during the three-year celebration. The Orpheum was sold-out each year (2,371 seats) and thousands toured the National Civil Rights Museum. The work is well documented and will be debuted in full documentary formatting at THE LEGACY CENTER in West Dumas when the new phase is completed.
This year, The College of Aspiring Artists is presenting the Inaugural Hot Springs Event Series themed: “MLK: The Mayors, The Ministers, The Murders, The Masses and The Movement.”
One major feature in Hot Springs is the film documentary COME WALK IN MY SHOES which is being screened on the actual holiday, January 17. Other program features include music, concerts and a town hall forum with candidates and leaders discussing key topics and who will lead us 2022 and beyond.
The MLK Holiday weekend starts with the screening of COME WALK IN MY SHOES in Dumas at all schools on Friday, January 14, as a tribute to Rev. Dr. King. The great hope in inspiring young people and administrators to walk in the shoes of leaders who have paved the way from struggles to success and from poverty to prosperity.
“Let me thank Superintendent Kelvin Gragg and the all the faculty who are helping to get this new media technology into the schools. We have a curriculum that follows the film screening, and the goal is to get resources for our college to teach the mini-course during the month of February for students who will receive scholarships to attend,” stated Rev. Arthur L. Hunt, Jr., film producer partner and presenter.
Come Walk in My Shoes is an award-winning documentary that follows the Honorable Congressman John Lewis on an emotional pilgrimage to the churches, parks and bridges where young people played a pivotal role in the struggle for equality and voting rights. At each location, Lewis reflects on his experiences and provides a forum for others – the “unsung heroes who cared deeply, sacrificed much, and fought hard for a better America” – to help us understand what happened, and why it happened. This award-winning documentary provides a fresh, first-person perspective on the non-violent protests that challenged segregation laws in the South and led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act in 1965.
TCAA has years of film footage from our files and producers of other documentaries. Significant footage and key recordings were filmed at the Orpheum Theatre and Mason Temple in Memphis, TN, along with the Clinton Presidential Library, Little Rock Central High School and Little Rock River Market. Additional footage in TCAA’s master archives from NBC brings tremendous value to our ongoing works. Other key partners and contributors include Video Action, Inc., of Washington, DC, KABF 88.3, Clear Channel Radio Hunt Memorial Cathedral of Faith, Arkansas Northeastern College, National Parks Historic Site, Madam C.J. Walker Theatre, the MLK Memorial and other venues across the nation.
Details on the MLK Holiday Weekend events can be found at the link below and by contacting the producers at 501.683.8555. www.mlkinauguralmayorsconference.blogspot.com
