Hip-hop advocate and Little Rock educator Ron McAdoo will be the host for the second annual "A Thanksgiving for the Historic John Lee Webb House," an evening of gospel music and celebration, at 6 p.m. Thursday at Historic Visitors Chapel AME Church, 319 Church St.
The public is welcome to attend the free event. Donations will be accepted.
"A teacher of the arts in the Little Rock School District for nearly 25 years, McAdoo, aka Ron Mc The HipHoptimist, is a nationally recognized spoken word poet, motivational speaker, professional illustrator and activist. He is a member of Phi Beta Sigma which is a fraternity devoted to the 'inclusive we' rather than the 'exclusive we,'" a news release said.
He was the co-founder of Backyard Enterprises and has participated in numerous programs that deal with issues of race relations and urban needs. Those programs have included the Healing Racism Institute and Too Cool 4 School.
McAdoo uses the culture of Hip-hop as a vehicle to educate both the young and old in the fields of music, art and writing. "I believe in the greatness of urban underground culture," he said in the release.
"He is very much a family man and often includes his wife and two children in his presentations," the release said, noting that his wife, Stacey, is the 2019 Arkansas Teacher of the Year. "She's the one who got me into doing performance poetry," he said.
McAdoo will "weave his brand of optimism into the program" as he introduces the acts, the release said. Gospel music will dominate the evening, with songs by several soloists and choirs from the Visitors Chapel, Haven United Methodist, Roanoke Baptist, as well as the Fun City Chorus, Clyde Pound Trio and the Garrett Sisters. A brief video presentation about the restoration of the Historic John Lee Webb House and a tribute to the life of the late Rev. Cornelious Leron Hollinshed will also be part of the program.
Hollinshed served in various administrative positions at the Ouachita Children's Center, The Arkansas Rehabilitation Center and the Arkansas Career Training Institute. He also was one of the charter board members of P.H.O.E.B.E. which is celebrating its 20th anniversary and is the driving force behind the restoration of the Webb House. During his life, Hollinshed was the pastor for numerous Arkansas congregations, including New St. Paul AME Church in Hot Springs. Hollinshed died on July 7, 2015.
Call 501-624-9400 or email [email protected] for more information.
Entertainment on 11/14/2018