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
What is and what are the things missing for the people, product, or program to thrive?
Let’s reflect on the 25-year history. What’s missing in Dumas?
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?
A. Examine and Correct the Culture
1. CULTURICITY
2. BRING INNOVATION & RESOURCES
