Blogs and Reviews

 News Release August 29, 2008  

Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" Speech Commemorated at Clinton Presidential Center  

 LITTLE ROCK – The 45th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech was commemorated with a day of festivities at the William J. Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock on Thursday August 28, 2008. King delivered the famous speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in conjunction with the 1963 March on Washington.   

Former President Clinton has called King's speech "the greatest political speech of my lifetime" and "the clearest clarion call to a more perfect union."   Sponsored by The College of Aspiring Artists (TCAA) of North Little Rock, the William J. Clinton Foundation and the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service, the commemoration featured films and entertainment. 

Special guests included Gracie Carter of Little Rock who participated in the 1963 March and Joshua and Andrew Withers, sons of the late Ernest Withers of Memphis, a noted civil rights photographer. Withers’ photographs were instrumental in the documentation and establishment of the Little Rock Central High Museum and Visitor Center which led to the Little Rock Central High National Historic Site. Some of Withers’ photographs and prints were on display during the commemoration.

"We're very pleased that the TCAA and the Clinton School joined with us to host this event at the Clinton Center," said Lena Moore, deputy director of the Clinton Foundation. Admission to the King events was free for the general public.   Activities began at 9:30 a.m., featuring video excerpts of King's speeches, portions of a documentary about Congressman and civil rights activist John Lewis and a special program by KATV-7 entitled "Dr. Martin Luther King in Arkansas."   "This is a very historic day where we want to reflect the past, inspect the present and project the future", stated Rev. Arthur L Hunt, Executive Producer of the film."   Additionally, segments of the film "Eyes on the Prize" were shown from 2:45 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.   

                             A Blog from The College of Aspiring Artist - 2.1.11

25^th Anniversary MLK Federal Holiday “Supreme Day of Prayer” Expands to   “Supreme Year of Prayer” During Final Filming of Documentary

 February 1, 2011 (Memphis, TN) It Happened!   On January 17, 2011, the historic 25^th Anniversary of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday, The College of Aspiring Artists (TCAA), the organizers and producers of the 1^st National Tribute of the Federal Holiday from the Orpheum Theatre in Memphis, Tennessee, along with national prayer organizations, educational and industry partners celebrated, proclaimed and presented the nation’s first “Supreme Day of Prayer.” The day (along with the three-day weekend) offered prayer focus circles, prayer services and a national edutainment tribute filming the final chapter of the documentary film, FEEL THE MOVEMENT: From Prophecy to Promise at the Madame Walker Theatre in Indianapolis, Indiana. The theatre was packed to capacity. Superb vision and leadership from the staff at the Walker Theatre and the history of successful programming on this day brought a significant contribution to the day’s programming and overall success.   Production Highlights featured a screening of COME WALK IN MY SHOES (the John Lewis Story),  the MyMovement Forum with notables from Indianapolis led by Dr. Charles Ware, President of Crossroads Bible College, and many creative talents from Indianapolis along with  a featured performance from national recording artist, Anita Hall from Hawaii.

Through a series of prayer, praise and inspirational tributes led by national organizations including the National Day of Prayer Task Force, Convoy of Hope, Pray for Hope, Prayer Surge Now, Two by Two Prayer (Memphis, Tennessee), Crossroads Bible College and others, the nation witnessed a re-presentation of “oneness in God” as King’s Prophecy so often depicted in scripture reflected in St. John 17.   The success from the event has inspired the organizers to move from a Supreme Day of Prayer to proclaiming 2011 as “Supreme Year of Prayer” and during the year of 2011, cities across the nation can have the touring prayer and edutainment tribute in their cities.

13 Million Minutes Offered on 32-hour Prayer Line

As the Supreme Day of Prayer in Indianapolis at the Madam Walker Theatre captured major prayer tributes and key talents and leaders from the city and across the nation, a 32-hour national phone line hosting prayers which were led by strong prayer leaders including members of Dr. King’s family, joined together in the unity of the spirit and  multiple callers per hour offered  over 13 million minutes of prayers of thanksgiving to God for Dr. King and other spiritual leaders, past and present who paved (and are paving) the way for reconciliation.

 Among several, a most special prayer service was held at Nu Corinthians Baptist Church in Indianapolis with National Day of Prayer Task Force Leaders including National Area Leaders from Nashville, TN, Rick and Sarah Lowe and Sherry Taggart of Kentucky.  Arkansas NDP TF State Coordinators, Pastor Arthur L. and Dr. Blanche Hunt along with members of The College of Aspiring Artists, Ezra and Sonja Burdix and others on assignment included Kelly Johnson and Two by Two Prayer from Memphis with representatives from New York. Pastor Terry Webster was the host pastor for Supreme Day of Prayer Intercessory Service at 5pm on Sunday, January 16.  Over 200 persons showed up and concerts of prayers were offered for the nation, families, churches and other key areas in our communities.  A special visit and address from Dr. King’s nephew, Dr. Derrick King presented a powerful legacy moment.

FEEL THE MOVEMENT: From Prophecy to Promise, the film documentary captures twenty-one years from the producers beginning in Memphis conceptualizing, researching and honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Prophet. It cross references the 40-year biblical timeline between King’s final Prophecy, April 3, 1968 through April 3, 2008 and reveals the ultimate description of Dr. King post-prophecy with his assignment as a God-ordained, Preacher, Prophet, Pastor and Teacher.   It then takes a look at the first two years (2008-2010) of the next 40 years to examine, but mostly put on display the truth about who God says we are from His original template in creation. The new edutainment documentary which has a release date set in the silver anniversary year (2011) will teach the principles of love, truth and liberty, and show how Dr. King’s Prophecy has been fulfilled.  Previous filming sites and key moments include: National Civil Rights Museum, Mason Temple Church of God in Christ and the Orpheum Theatre in Memphis, TN,  Clinton Presidential Library, Little Rock Central High School, Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, Arkansas Northeastern College, Hunt Memorial Cathedral of Faith and other key venues.  Special archival footage on Dr. King, Michael Jackson, Martin Luther King, III, Dr. E.V. Hill, Rev. Clifton Davis, Dr. Rance Allen, Grammy award-winning producer, Kevin Bond and many others offer historical and biblical content of original happenings.

“January 17, 2011 was indeed a Supreme Day of Prayer and a major day of spiritual testament. We saw people of all races, creeds, colors and religion join together to celebrate the promise.  Twenty-five years beyond the first celebration of the Federal Holiday honoring Dr. King, this tribute allowed us to… Reflect the Past… Inspect the Present… and Project the Future.   This covers every generation from Dr. King to our next generation of dreamers, builders and keepers of the faith. And yes while we are witnessing historic progress on many fronts springing forth from Dr. King’s Prophecy/Dream, including the election of President Obama, America’s first African American President, this moment in the spirit of bringing honor to God was relegated to that of true praise for witnessing the greatness of our God whose Word always comes to pass. I believe that prophecy, like pregnancy has a term and delivery date. As the medical profession is the caretaker of pregnancies; likewise, prophecy has spiritual caretakers who insure that successful delivery is accomplished and acknowledged. We are a part of this guardianship. The days of prayer and tribute allowed us to thank God and reveal to the nation that we got it right and we are going to keep it right,” stated Arthur L. Hunt, Jr., Executive Producer.

The film is being produced by The College of Aspiring Artists and has a total cost of $350,000.  Nearly $200,000 has been generated to date.

2010 Tour Review

January 21, Little Rock, AR - January 15-20, 2010, were dates in which the nation and the world celebrated the King Holiday like never before. It was the 1^st King Holiday Celebration after the Obama Inauguration and the one-year Presidential Anniversary of the nation’s first African-American President. On January 17, the film documentary, FEEL THE MOVEMENT, Arkansas tour began in Dumas at Hunt Memorial Cathedral of Faith at 3pm. Three strategic locations were identified as target venues to both produce these event celebrations and to capture them for final chapters of the documentary film recording. “Our film is important to document the prophecy of King and to show God’s Word to be true. This is our moment to give thanks and to rally to keep the spirit of hope high in our nation. With Mr. Obama celebrating his first year, giving him the proper salute on January 20, had to go down in history as a day highly regarded.  The College of Aspiring Artists did our part in programming and documenting it. It is even more important to keep the spirit of the movement builders alive and well and to transfer it to our now and next generation of leaders. Many of them do not relate to the prophets of the bible (both old and New Testament) but we can make sure they see a clear record of the 20^th century prophet, King on this day and the years to come,” stated Arthur L. Hunt, Jr., executive producer of the film.

From a cathedral to a college, on to the state’s cultural center the  Mosaic Templars, during these four days, Arkansan’s will be able to witness and record their views, poems, and music of tribute honoring this historic timeline.  The tour continues, with the 1-Year Presidential Review/Salute and Feel the Movement documentary recording moving to other target markets throughout the nation.  A historic and prophetic timeline reveals movement from 1968-2008 from King to Obama in ways not revealed prior to this moment.

Opening with a powerful Ecumenical Salute in Dumas the with Southeast Arkansas counties, Jefferson, and Desha taking the lead, Rev. Jesse Turner, a presenting partner of the King Holiday now for 26 years was one of several participants. National guests include official staff from the National Day of Prayer did the special consecration service in Dumas installing Pastor Arthur L. Hunt, Jr. and Dr. Blanche Hunt as the new Arkansas leaders for the National Day of Prayer Task Force.  Two by Two of Memphis, Tennessee and others joined the tour including, congressmen, mayors, superintendents of schools, community leaders, pastors and other stakeholders adding their voice.   Movement Tributes from various genres of music along with performing and visual art and creativity was showcased. A culturally diverse edutainment panel discussion and movement forum allowed the audience to join in and “feel the movement.”  

The New Orleans Tribute was a most intense encounter. For nearly 12 weeks the executive producer was on the ground with many persons in high regard of the tribute to the Movement Builders.  The goal to produce the event at the Mahalia Jackson Theatre for Performing Arts was noble.  In the midst of the great focus and upon the investment of tens of thousands of dollars, God would reveal at the last hour that this city was not ready to receive or have the tribute as we had been revealed to present it; however the date was covered and persons attended from across the nation.  Many will be surprised when the results of the two sessions are published.  It will show God's power at work to preserve the work of his prophets and what he has in store for the faithful who kept the faith.

A special moment recogizing the sponsors both in print and in the documentary film will reveal the persons and networks who made contributions to making sure that the market was well-informed of the "high honor" that God made clear on behalf of Dr. King, Ms. Mahalia Jackson and others who will be recoginized.

During the course of the tour, hundreds of scholarships and creative opportunities will be awarded to creative talents throughout the state. The documentary is scheduled for a fall 2011 release. It will be accompanied by a sound track, a magazine and full internet marketing campaign.  

   TRIBUTE PRODUCTION CREDITS/SERIES REVIEW

 The dates of April 4^th 2008 - January 17,2011 were strategically planned in advance and captured by the filmmakers for the purpose of the documentary.  Significant footage and key recordings captured at the Orpheum Theatre and Mason Temple in Memphis, TN, along with the Clinton Presidential Library, Little Rock Central High School and Little Rock River Market along with additional footage in our master archives bring tremendous value to the documentary film project. Other documentary film key partners and contributors include HMC-Hunt Memorial Cathedral of Faith, Video Action, Inc., of Washington, DC, KABF 88.3, Clear Channel Radio 106.7 Hallelujah FM, Soreal Magazine, Arkansas Northeastern College, Way Maker Ministries, National Parks Historic Site, Madame Walker Theatre and others.