Tuskegee Airman among 2012 Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Inductees

The Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Foundation has announced its 2012 inductees and details of its 20th annual induction ceremony.

2012 inductees include:

• Jerry T. Hodges - Legendary Member of the Famed Tuskegee Airmen
• Charles E. Phillips, Jr. - CEO of Infor Global  Solutions
• Pearlie S. Reed - Assistant Secretary of Agriculture (retired)
• Lt. Col. Yolonda R. Summons - Deputy Chief of Staff, Pentagon
• Sister Rosetta Tharpe - Iconic Music Pioneer, "Godmother of Gospel and Rock Music" (Posthumous)
• Lennie Williams - Renowned R&B Recording Artist, Singer and Song-writer

The 20th annual induction ceremony, which is the foundation's major fundraiser, is Saturday, October 20th at 7:30 p.m. at the Statehouse Convention Center's Wally Allen Ballroom. Monies raised benefit organizations throughout Arkansas that serve the Black community in the areas of youth development, health and wellness, education and business/economic development. Since 2004, the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Foundation has awarded more than $316,000 to organizations serving African Americans and other underserved populations in Arkansas. This year, 18 nonprofit organizations received a total of $50,000 in grants.

"We are proud to continue the tradition of recognizing outstanding native Arkansans as giants in their various fields of work," Charles Stewart, Chairman of the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Foundation said.

"I congratulate all of the 2012 honorees who have each made an indelible mark on the history of our state, nation and the world. We honor their commitment to excellence, their hard work, and tenacity."

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About the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Foundation
Throughout its history the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Foundation has sought to correct the omissions of history and to remind the world that Black history is a signification part of American history. The foundation seeks to further the impact of the annual induction ceremony by providing an environment in which future generations of African American achievers with Arkansas roots will thrive and succeed.