The Delta Grassroots Caucus (DGC) is a broad coalition of grassroots leaders in the eight-state Delta region. DGC is also a founding partner of the Economic Equality Caucus,
which advocates for economic equality across the USA.

Delta Classic 4 Literacy Set for Sept. 1, 2012: Help Promote Literacy in the Delta

Posted on August 22, 2012 at 11:23 AM

The upcoming Sept. 1, 2012 Delta Classic 4 Literacy is an excellent role model for the entire Delta region in the movement to decrease illiteracy and increase high school graduation rates. President Fitzgerald Hill of Arkansas Baptist College, the Arkansas Literacy Councils, the Arkansas Department of Career Education and other partners announced this week a series of initiatives to raise funds for and increase awareness of literacy activities in Arkansas.

The Delta Classic 4 Literacy football game between the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and Langston University of Oklahoma is set for Saturday, Sept. 1, 2012, at 5 p.m. in famed War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock, Arkansas. Part of the proceeds from ticket sales as well as sponsorships will be donated to the Arkansas Literacy Councils, which to date has received $55,000 in the last seven years to tackle illiteracy in Arkansas Delta counties where literacy development services were not available.

For information on buying tickets or becoming a sponsor, please contact Linda Gillam Weir of Arkansas Baptist College (ABC) at 501-244-5110 or at Linda.gillam@arkansasbaptist.edu

The Delta Grassroots Caucus partners believe that these are the kinds of excellent innovations that we need to see in all eight states of the Greater Delta Region.

Literacy has a crucial impact on many fundamental issues in the Delta, from getting and keeping jobs, to graduation rates, to following medical instructions.

We will include literacy initiatives among the key economic development initiatives at our annual fall conference at Mid-South Community College in West Memphis on Oct. 23-24, 2012. Schedule and registration information are below in this message.

GRAND OPENING OF COMMUNITY ADULT LEARNING AND LITERACY CENTER (CALL): President Hill announced an expanded collaboration between ABC and the Arkansas Department of Career Education under the leadership of Bill Walker in the creation of the CALL Center at the corner of Dr. Martin Luther King Drive and Daisy Bates in Little Rock. This center will attract high school dropouts who are seeking a General Education Degree (GED), promoting potential college enrollment and basic literacy skills needed to enhance employment opportunities.

The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and Langston University in Tulsa are historically black colleges who will continue the tradition of raising funds and increasing awareness about illiteracy. President Hill of ABC began the event based on the creative approach, as he has said, “you can’t get 50,000 people to go to a chemistry lecture but you can get 50,000 to a college football game.” In addition, the bands perform an inspiring half-time show.

DELTA CLASSIC PARADE: There will also be a Delta Classic Parade starting on Saturday, Sept. 1, 2012 in front of Central High School at Park Street and Daisy Bates and ending at Wright Avenue & Martin Luther King in Little Rock from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. There will be prizes awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place float winners.

To enter your band, group club or organization in the Delta Classic Parade, contact Linda Gillam Weir at 501-244-5110 or Linda.gillam@arkansasbaptist.edu by the entry deadline of Friday, August 24, 2012.

The tailgate party for the Delta Classic 4 Literacy outside of War Memorial Stadium starts at 11 a.m. on Sept. 1.

On Tuesday, August 21 President Hill announced the new activities with the Arkansas Department of Career Education at the new CALL Center located at the corner of Daisy Bates and Dr. Martin Luther King Drive.

President Hill of ABC has taken a leadership role in promoting literacy in the Greater Delta Region. He has eloquently delivered his dynamic message to our conferences at the Clinton Presidential Library. He has greatly expanded the number of students enrolled at ABC, increased the number of students from the heart of the Delta in the eastern half of Arkansas, engaged in community development activities in Helena-West Helena, Arkansas and Lake Providence, Louisiana, and led other community empowerment initiatives for our region.

OPENING SESSION: Tuesday evening, Oct. 23, 4:40 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. This will be at President Glenn Fenter’s presidential house at Mid-South Community College.

MAIN SESSION: Wednesday, Oct. 24, 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Mid-South Community College, Marion Berry Renewable Energy Center.

REGISTRATION: You register by sending in the $100 early registration fees for each individual on or before Oct. 1. (There is a group discount down to $70 each for groups of five or more from one local area.) Please make out the check to “Delta Caucus” and mail to our office in the Washington, DC area:

Delta Caucus 5030 Purslane Place Waldorf, Maryland 20601

GROUP HOTEL: The group hotel is the West Memphis Holiday Inn & Convention Center. To get the group rate of $109 for Tuesday evening, Oct. 23, please call the hotel at (870) 735-4055 and make your reservation as part of the Delta Caucus bloc by Oct. 9. There are also some rooms available for Oct. 24 if people want to stay that night as well. The group hotel is a few minutes from Mid-South Community College.

The Delta Grassroots Caucus encourages all our partners to turn out and support the Delta Classic 4 Literacy on Sept. 1, 2012 and support other activities to improve literacy in our region. Thanks very much–Lee Powell, DGC (202) 360-6347