Once again, the sixth annual Firefighters All White Affair was a sellout -- despite some serious competition from popular neo soul singer Erykah Badu, who performed at Verizon Arena just across the river.
The affair, a fundraiser for Finding Incentives Reaching and Empowering Students Inc. (FIRES), took place June 11 in the ballroom of the Little Rock Marriott. Little Rock Fire Chief Gregory Summers and Chief Fire Marshal Joe Gray, executive director of Finding Incentives, were the usual jovial hosts.
The event afforded guests the opportunity to turn out in their most dressy, preppy, sporty or casual white ensembles, pose for photos in their best, then dodge stains while feasting from a pasta, fruit, vegetable and cheese buffet. Attendees danced to music by the Dell Smith Experience, featuring vocalist Jeron Marshall-Isbell. Later, a crowd of mostly women grouped around the stage to groove to -- and get cellphone photos of -- '90s rhythm and blues artists H-Town.
Jeanette Summers greeted guests and discussed the history and purpose of the event, which raises full emergency medical technician scholarships for those going into the fire and emergency services and studying at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. "Broadway" Joe Booker of KIPR-FM, 99.3, and Donna Terrell of KLRT-TV, Channel 16, were masters of ceremonies.
The program included a film about Finding Incentives activities with its junior fire cadets and the introduction of scholarship winner and Central High School alumnus Cameron James. The scholarship was in honor of the late Allen Wayne Sr., whose widow, Gwendolyn Wayne, shared remarks.
The affair raised about $15,000, according to Gray.
-- Story and photos by Helaine R. Williams
High Profile on 06/19/2016