Hello Dumas: Where Are We Now? We Are REDI-- Rural Economic Development Innovation

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE VISION UNFOLD

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Rev. Arthur L. Hunt, Jr. | 870.623.8179

 REDI Resumes with a Close Look at CULTURICITY: City of Dumas… State of Arkansas… Where Are We Now?

REDI, (Rural Economic Development Innovation) along with Backbone Partner, The College of Aspiring Artists, (TCAA) continue to advance the work to place the Digital Arts Technology College Network, (DAT—C) in Dumas, Arkansas to take on the opportunities and challenges in rural areas of the south with a ‘no tease’ transformation model. From THE LEGACY CENTER in West Dumas, Arkansas to cities across the Arkansas, Mississippi, the Louisiana Delta and beyond, we see what’s real, we see the problems; but most important, we see what’s Resolvable.

REDI, a 2019 USDA Federal Grant Award to The Legacy Center in Dumas (representing all of Arkansas) is known for outstanding work during the Pandemic to the tune of over $1,000,000 in food distribution along with health and wellness, digital media and marketing services and more. With the support of Backbone Partner ASC Property Management great things happened and now continue to happen.  In the coming months we will roll out the fourth quarter strategic plan with other community and stakeholder partners. CULTURICITY will be a guiding theme. It does a full analysis on the culture of the city, community, county, region, etc. 

 Dumas, Arkansas Over the Last 25 Years

A Mini-Placement Summary

October 2, 2024 | DUMAS, ARKANSAS: Where are We Now?

 Do the RIP…

Reflecting the Past… Inspecting the Present… Projecting the Future.

 When you wake in Dumas every day, what do you see? When you analyze a program, product, population, etc., you look at what’s present, and yes, But you also must look at what’s missing. Here’s a checklist to start with. 

• Ø  Health
• Ø  Homes
• Ø  Values: Faith- Family- Community
• Ø  Workplace
• Ø  Recreation
• Ø  Entertainment

 Most important in a progressive mind must be…

What is and what are the things missing for the people, product, or program to thrive?

 If this is different from the supreme focus, there is a Vision. And where there is no vision, (we all know what happens) the people perish.

 How do we through vision and innovation deliver the vision to complete, revitalize, and transform lives not only in and from Dumas but from Dumas, Desha, and the Delta to DC?

 We are REDI— Rural Economic Development Innovation.

 Let’s reflect on the 25-year history. What’s missing in Dumas?

 1999—2005

The West Dumas Community Family Life Center engaged a new CEO, Rev. Arthur Hunt, Jr., during the transition and death of his father, the late Dr. A.L. Hunt, Sr. in 2001.  Hunt returns to Dumas before the death from a 25-year career in the media, music, marketing and entertainment area with work at radio and television networks along with record and film companies.  He starts The College of Aspiring Artists.  From the center, (now The Legacy Center in West Dumas) Hunt created multiple programs and expanded programs that were pre-existing. One program, Phoenix Youth Opportunity from the US Department of Labor collaborated with the center and enrolled over 75 youth from across the multiple counties in SEARK.  The group was the choir ‘Believe’.  The choir toured the state and also Washington, DC and Tampa, Florida motivating youth to believe in their dreams as creative talents.  The producers were invited to perform on the national stage at The Stellar Awards.

2006–2009

The Arkansas Three-year Creative Economy Study: Dumas has Key Role with The College of Aspiring Artists Listed as Edutainment College in Developing and Implementing the Outcomes. Arkansas Creative Economy Project (arkansasheritage.com)

2007 Tornado: Act of God puts Dumas in high visibility for rural town in Arkansas

2008–2018

DTEC: Delta Technology Education Center Opens and Closes

WHY? HOW? In a time where digital technology and education is urgently needed in Rural Arkansas and America, how does this happen?

2019– Current

REDI Application and Award to Arkansas in Dumas

2020 COVID 19 Pandemic: What Did We Do?  Was it Impactful?  What Lives were Revitalized?

 2022 Mass Shooting: Cultural Dysfunction is on Display and Under Review Community leaders call for change after Dumas shooting injures 27, kills one (katv.com)

 

2024…

REDI Continues as New Administrations and Programs are Introduced.

How Does this Work?  What are the Best Ways to Collaborate in Rural Arkansas with Programs that Should be Compatible?

  How we do it—

A. Examine and Correct the Culture

1. CULTURICITY

2. BRING INNOVATION & RESOURCES

3.  IMPLEMENTATION

 

New Route for GoFresh USA Food Distribution—THE LEGACY CENTER in West Dumas

                                     

THE LEGACY CENTER Starts New Fall/Winter Drive-Thru Service This Thursday   

Now that the weather has changed, the Dumas REDI GoFresh Food Distribution takes on a new route back  to the main location at THE LEGACY CENTER in West Dumas at 501 West Bowles Street. The distribution is set for Thursday, October 29, 2020 at the regular time of 1pm. The new route allows residents in Dumas and those who have been coming to Dumas from Watson, Star City, Gould, Mitchellville, Winchester, Tillar, Reed, McGehee, Dermott, etc., to continue to be served. The center has a pavilion/court that allows the 18-wheeler access to the back of the campus to load-in the food and for the residents to drive-through and have the food loaded in as done at our other location at ASC Property Management located behind Mad Butcher. During inclement weather, ‘the crew workers’ will not have to be in direct contact with precipitation/weather as they load in the food items. This route will direct cars coming from east on Bowles to come from south on Main from the industries. Thus, traffic will flow across the tracks with assistance from traffic officers helping to keep the track open for safe crossing. Once vehicles are loaded, they will continue west on Bowles and turn right on Cherry.

Thousands of families in Dumas and SEARK have been served fresh foods on a weekly basis during the past several months by Dumas leaders with the REDI, Rural Economic Development Innovation initiative.  This move will make it more comfortable to the crews that load-in the food.  They will be out of the elements.  Currently, resources to make improvements to include outdoor heaters and other necessities are appreciated. 

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, the leaders have not been paid, ‘but have paid out monies’ to keep the program moving. Going out in harm’s way to be sure that the distribution of $500,000 in food would not be turned away, the team has prevailed. As of October 15, over $325,000 (of the $500,000 total allocation) in food service has already been distributed by THE LEGACY CENTER in West Dumas.

The West Dumas Community Family Life Center (WDCFLC, now THE LEGACY CENTER) was one of  47 rural recipients that will receive technical assistance from 2020—2021 to help create and implement long-term economic development plans. The College of Aspiring Artists and ASC Property Management are the Backbone Partners who are working to get funding beyond the submission of a Strategic Plan by the end of December. Donations are needed to help with operations until funding is approved.

“This program has been awarded to us based on our favor from God to go and meet with leaders across the state and the country and we’ve invested over $100,000 from our personal accounts to pay for operations to keep it going. We have brought the distribution to Dermott, McGehee and Earle.  Everyone always says, we do not have any money. I say, neither do we. The only difference is most often we are the only ones telling the truth. But, by the grace of God, He has allowed us to see the need and not say no because we do not have the resources. We are grateful to in kind donations, but we need funding.  We’ve had to spend money that should be going to our personal accounts and in addition, borrow money to pay for expenses and stipends in hopes that resources from the city, state, etc., would be available from some source to help us continue this meaningful outreach in Dumas and SEARK just as it is going forth across the nation, stated Rev. Hunt on behalf of the center and the Dumas REDI.  

Last Thursday, October 22, 2020 McGehee, Arkansas was the newest site to serve over 1200 families with over $35,000 of food to include, produce, protein and dairy and partner with THE LEGACY CENTER in West Dumas and GoFresh USA. Mr. Bob Ware, Vice-Chancellor for the UAM College of Technology was the leader designated for the McGehee community.

For more on THE LEGACY CENTER in West Dumas and how you can donate/volunteer, etc., please contact Rev. Arthur L. Hunt, Jr., D.D., 870.623.8179, Annette Cowen at 870.382.5141, Linda Hunt Rogers at 870.501.0356 or visit www.thelegacycenterinwestdumas.org

October 28, 2020 Letter to Editor of Dumas Clarion {Full Letter}

 Dear Editor:

Election 2020 Reveals Cold-hearted Truth About Current State of Cultural and Racial Inequities— “Smack Dab in the Middle of a Pandemic”

Two years ago, Dumas elected its first black mayor. The council within the first year had a 5-3 white/black ratio. I saw hope, but trouble at the same time. How?  Hope: When we can see a black mayor with greater representation for all of Dumas.  Trouble: When I went before the council the next year to ask why the administration called the police on me when I had been approved to have a community meeting to discuss new options regarding the closing of DTEC. With millions of dollars poured into DTEC and its closing, I wanted to know what were ‘next-step options’ and to host a community forum on this subject and more. We have done Town Hall Forums for 12 years and this one was necessary. I received a call from the Governor’s office with directives to find out more about the closing and report back.   Sadly, even with a police report confirming no need for the police to have been called, the City Clerk, Erma Coburn and the Councilmember, Roy Dalton were not directed by the Mayor to state their reasons.

Now, two years later in the middle of a pandemic, we have the first opportunity to elect one more black person to put the council in a 50/50 balance of Black/White representation. It gives hope to what has not changed in the history of this city. 

In January of this year, our new grant program from USDA, Rural Economic Development Innovation requested $75,000 at the council meeting to help us with operations for the year. We were directed to put a proposal together and submit it to budget committee.  We did so in February and got the highest review from one of the city officers.  Absent was John Owen, the chair of the budget committee.  To date he has not confirmed to meet with us. In the year of a pandemic with $6,000,000 endowed to the city from the Peterson’s Trust, the city chooses not to provide a way to help organizations going out in harm’s way to help the residents. To date, we have invested over $325,000 in food distribution and operations and will have $500,000 into Dumas and SEARK from our REDI program before the year is over. Over $100,000 has come from our personal dollars to serve the residents and build new programs in and for Dumas and these leaders continue to disregard and do the politics.  See more on this at www.thelegacycenterinwestdumas.org

The city has spent over $200,000 with an outside agency to promote positive things that brand or promote good things happening in and from Dumas. We have been rudely treated by Councilmember Ramona Weatherford and constantly denied the opportunity to be a part of this A&P effort. We have the councilmembers, written them, invited them to public forums to speak out and to date, NO RESPONSE!

Dumas, Why Stay the Same?

We can, we should, and we will do better. Now is the time.  We do not know when we will have the option to do a 4/4 ration of council members again.  What is wrong with 4 blacks and 4 whites to go across the city and find the needs and interests of the community?   Whether the mayor is black, white, etc., the city council members are the ones who are most accountable for the work and progress for the citizens. A racially balanced council is a key to a racially balanced community and city governance.

Our USDA REDI grant award has so much opportunity to bring to Dumas.  If we had leaders who could see the vision and partner with us it would bring Dumas to a higher regard in many ways.

Sometimes I hear God saying clearly… “Stop Putting Water on a Fire that God has Started.”   I see this happening not only in Dumas but across this nation.

I ask you to leave your comments, questions here. I ask the city of Dumas to challenge any of these statements and do so speedily. This letter is to help us see where we are and to make the wise decisions to bring greater hope and future results to all of Dumas, Desha, the Delta and beyond.

To join us for change, please contact me, Rev. Arthur L. Hunt, Jr., D.D., directly at 870.623.8179 or ceo@thecollegeofaspiringartists.education

Our work with our new Digital Arts College Network, DAT—C is underway.  It will be located at THE LEGACY CENTER in West Dumas.

Current operations are online and onsite in Little Rock, AR. 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

  

“What Have You Done For Us Lately—What Are You Doing For Us Now?”

                            

“What Have You Done For Us Lately—What Are You Doing For Us Now?”  Decision Time in Dumas and Desha, Candidates to Speak

Tuesday, October 27, 2020

On Tuesday, October 27, 2020, all candidates running for positions in Dumas and Desha County are invited to attend and speak at the outdoor forum presented by local leaders and community program partners. The theme of the forum is: “What Have You Done For Us Lately—What Are You Doing For Us Now? The mission of the forum is to connect many persons who have yet to meet and/or hear the candidates.

Since the last election in 2018, Dumas has experienced the closing of DTEC, a new program model, DAT—C, Digital Arts Technology College Network is underway with the USDA REDI, Rural Economic Development Innovation award and all in the midst of the COVID—19 Pandemic.

These important agenda items along with other key matters are requiring the best in new leadership from across the city and county to come forth with strong vision and actions and this forum will allow the candidates to share their visions for change and progress going forward. 

Also on the table for discussion is what is the vision for philanthropic resources including $6,000,000 from the Peterson’s estate that bring a serious dimension that must be valued and weighed in on for best use and investment into the city’s future.   Two years later, there has not been any public appropriations of these funds for education, economic or community advancements, outreach or engagement.

Individuals and programs leaders (including startups) are encouraged to bring written copies of their vision/concepts for inclusion in a collaborative vision/proposal that allows many programs to unitize shared visions. Program development includes demographics from youth the seniors with an emphasis on ‘all of Dumas/Desha.’ How these dollars will be invested for sustainable programs and more is what organizers are working on with local, state and national organizations and leaders that focus on needs and improvement for Dumas/Desha.

There will be a question and answer segment and an opportunity for citizens to share/submit their vision/plans/concepts for Dumas/Desha 2020 and beyond. The forum will be held outdoors with COVID—19 guidelines being adhered to at THE LEGACY CENTER in West Dumas located at 501 W. Bowles from 4:45pm-6pm.  Refreshments and entertainment to follow.

Candidates who have not confirmed participation and persons needing additional information on the organizers, of the forum or persons desiring to volunteer or to participate please email allofdumasunited@gmail.com  and/or leave  comments here.

Dumas Can Still “Be the ONE” But Which Ones Will it Be?

Letter to the Editor | Dumas Clarion | 12.4.2019

Dumas Can Still “Be the ONE” But Which Ones Will it Be?

With many divides and disconnects that are clearly visible in our city, I say and can hear God saying that ‘it is still not too late’ for Dumas to be the ‘one’ city/community that optimizes the opportunities that await small (but not insignificant) townships in Rural Arkansas and Rural America. But the real question is, ‘which one(s) of the leaders’ will be ‘the ones’ who will be present to see it, lead it, be it.
I begin with a tag from the Publisher, TFF with her ‘thoughts in the November 20, 2019 issue of the Clarion. It was based on what happened in a statewide production produced and held in Dumas, the annual ‘Thanks For Giving’ Community Celebration and Awards.  It was well-covered by the Clarion. It featured an official visit from University of Arkansas with their famed UAPB Vesper Choir. It focused on music, art and education. It also included the talents and great opportunities for the Dumas Public Schools, both Junior High and High School. Also featured was the Dallas, Texas group, LeTitia Owens and Project Identify.  The publisher gave great praise to the talents in Dumas and what was presented to an audience (including both choirs) of 300-plus in attendance. (Now I must say here that I personally think that it is the responsibility of every elected official and every administrator of our pubic schools to read the Clarion weekly and by no means should a month go by without all issues being read. No excuse here because it’s a weekly and not daily paper.)
But a major point of observation in her comments pointed to those ‘who were not there’. This was a strong and necessary notice. It brought to my attention (and perhaps many others as well) what the previous Publisher, Terry Hawkins had documented earlier.
In January of this year, Terry Hawkins (now the late editor) wrote in the Opinion section, The New Year, dated January 2. The article stated that the NEW (mayor/council) ‘MUST BE’ more visionary and cohesive/united or ‘We’ (our city) ‘will be no different’ (than they were) and ‘this talk’ about what would be a positive difference will be simply, JUST WORDS.
I responded on January 14, that the article was both pragmatic; and in many ways, ‘prophetic’ and that it   ‘was not’ judgmental ‘but truly about facts.’  I agreed, based on the fact that there were years of absent progress from administrations (past 8-12 years) and stated that ‘the new leaders could’ make a difference.
Finally, Terry ‘wished’ us (all of Dumas) well/the best.  This was a good thing—a GOOD WISH for the new year. I concurred and wished them well and stated that I would be in constant prayer. January 2018 would be the last full month that Terry Hawkins would be the Editor of the Dumas Clarion.
Will Dumas be the ONE? Over the course of 2019 much information was reported regarding a new initiative that ultimately landed a statewide grant from USDA to a Dumas entity, the West Dumas Community Family Life Center (now THE LEGACY CENTER in West Dumas). 
We have shared the process with the city officials, the chamber, the school, the ministers, etc. To date, we have not received any formal communications of support, we have requested Proclamations and to date we have not had any responses.  WHO WILL BE THE ONE(s)?
After Dumas/Desha lost DTEC, with nearly 2 million dollars invested we approached the city to share our vision for our technology and college network (which has now landed the REDI grant award that will provide strong support in 2020. The first community meeting was blocked when the city officials who were in office (September 27, 2018) called the police on me (a call that showed up in the records as ‘no disturbance reported at the site). In January of this year, I asked the new administration, how does Dumas acquire new businesses, new leaders, etc., with this type of harassment and discrimination. My hope for the city officials who made the false report was they would speak out with an apology (on behalf of the city) but it did not happen. Instead, we were told that we could not come back to the council for another 6-months.
During this time, the director of Rural Development for Arkansas came to Dumas on July 1, and said, “this is big for Dumas, for Arkansas and I’m going back to DC to share how this can be good for the nation.”  At the last A&P meeting last month, I wanted to share his 2-minute video clip to the committee and was ordered by city officials to turn it off. He along with 9 other persons came to Dumas to make this announcement that our city was chosen to represent one of 47 communities across the nation to receive the REDI grant award. Many of the city officials, leaders were not in attendance and we want to be sure that this news and opportunity is known. 
Well, we are one year later with proven results, a federal grant award and other strong measures but again, where are the leaders? At the time of this published article members of our college network and THE LEGACY Center in West Dumas are meeting with the USDA REDI leaders and Communities Unlimited as a part of the strategic planning process.
I’m writing this end of the year letter which signifies that yes, Dumas can ‘still’ be the one.  But the question remains…. which one(s) will it be.   The variables have shifted, and new seats must be filled at the table of moving Dumas forward. During the next 9 months we will be producing programs and raising funding during this gap period prior to receiving funding.  Who’s in? 

Let’s go.   Rev. Arthur L. Hunt, Jr., D.D.  allofdumasunited@gmail.com   Support at www.thelegacylives.eventbrite.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Town Hall Forum: All of Dumas/Desha United... Who Will Lead Us? Let Your Voice Be Heard!

With the recent closing of the Delta Technology Education Center, this moment both brings about challenges and opportunities.  The forum for many reasons provides a timely moment for the candidates to share their platforms for change and progress for Dumas/Desha with the citizens.

Organizers say that this election (and especially for Dumas) has philanthropic resources bringing a surplus of $6,000,000 from a generous gift by the Merle and Deloris Peterson’s estate which denotes much at stake for current and future leaders, citizens and strategist to determine best use regarding the city’s future. How these dollars and other resources will be invested in sustainable programs is what organizers are working on with local, state and national organizations and leaders that focus on needs and improvement for Dumas/Desha.

Local developers, individuals and programs leaders (including startups) are encouraged to bring written copies of their vision/concepts for inclusion in a collaborative vision/proposal that will allow many programs to unitize shared visions. Program development includes demographics from youth the seniors with an emphasis on ‘all of Dumas/Desha.’

There will be a question and answer segment and an opportunity for citizens to share/submit their vision/plans/concepts for Dumas/Desha 2018 and beyond. The forum will be held at HMC—Hunt Memorial Cathedral of Faith located at 225 South Walnut (at Waterman).  Candidates who have not confirmed participation, persons needing additional information on the organizers of the forum and persons desiring to volunteer or to participate please email allofdumasunited@gmail.com  and/or leave comments here.

Candidates Outline and Agenda for October 23 Facebook Live Town Hall Forum

“ALL OF DUMAS UNITED” |10.23.2018 | 5pm-7pm
FACEBOOK LIVE DUMAS/DESHA Town Hall Forum|HMC |  225 S. Walnut @ Waterman
(Note: Any person or organization that desires to submit a proposal for the city/county or for other program partners to review, please let’s us know by October 21, in writing and send to our email listed at: allofdumasunited@gmail.com  Also let us know if you want to be one of the 10 Official FB LIVE Reporters for this and future events.)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
HMC—Hunt Memorial Cathedral of Faith | 225 South Walnut at Waterman, Dumas, AR 71639
Decision Time in D-Town is a town hall forum with and for the people who live and serve in Dumas/Desha and for those who desire to serve as elected officials in Dumas/Desha 2018, and beyond. The outline aims to allow candidates/citizens to prepare and get a look ahead at the forum format as the community continues to come together for positive dialogue and actions regarding what can be done and what will be done to make Dumas/Desha a better place for ALL of DUMAS and Desha.
Part I: Meet and Greet leaders from across the state to include the office of Governor Hutchinson
Part II: Dumas City Review 2010—2018
A. Current City and Civic Administrators and New Candidates (Please prepare written handouts)
i. New Programs Promised: (This is from current elected officials who are currently or have served
during this eight-year term)
ii. New Programs Started/Completed: (This is from current officials and/or persons seeking office)
iii. New Programs Terminated: (Based on program(s) not being sustainable as projected)
iv. New Programs Ended: (Based on grant or program term limits satisfactorily completed only)
B. Up Next for Dumas/Desha: 2019 Initiatives (Please prepare written handouts)
i. Please list your top three New Development Plans for your office/position
ii. Please list your top three programs/initiatives that you will prioritize to continue
iii. Please list programs (if any) that you want to see end during your administration
iv. List two or three things that you will want to see changed in the city/county administration
(For A & B above, candidates need to email reply to allofdumasunited@gmail.com by 10.16.2018.) Please prepare written handouts for up to 100 persons.
Part III: Our Vote— What Are the Issues and Who are the Candidates? All candidates for local and state offices for Dumas/Desha are invited to share their platform. 5-7 minutes each.
Part IV: ‘Let Your Voice Be Heard’ The Community Speaks
A. Updating Visions from the Community- (This is a list of community programs and initiatives brought
forth from the community that provide services that benefit the entire community and/or county.
B. Questions by the Moderator and from the Audience. Community leaders including youth will address topics and ask questions to the candidates.
C. Closing Remarks/Prayer/Adjournment/Reception/Adjournment:

or information on the presenters and organizers or to get involved please visit: www.allofdumasunited.blogspot.com or please contact Linda Rogers 501.683.8555