27 Apr 2026 City Year Little Rock to hold inaugural Graduation Gala
LITTLE ROCK — Next month, City Year Little Rock will hold the inaugural Graduation Gala. The event on May 22 will include a ceremony honoring the nonprofit’s AmeriCorps members, who recently completed a year of service in Central Arkansas schools. It will also feature an awards presentation to two of City Year’s longtime partners and advocates: Dr. Jeremy Owoh, superintendent of the Jacksonville North Pulaski School District, and Dr. Jermall Wright, superintendent of the Little Rock School District.
“City Year Little Rock’s Red Jackets are a powerful symbol of our steadfast commitment to helping all students achieve their full potential,” said Jeremy Hill, senior vice president and executive director. “We are excited to invite the community to join us for this celebration of public service, both for our AmeriCorps members and for the school administrators who make our continued impact in Central Arkansas schools possible.”
City Year’s Graduation Gala will take place at 6 p.m. Friday, May 22, at The Hall at 721 W 9th Street in Little Rock. Additional highlights of the event will include the graduation ceremony, a presentation of the “Idealist of the Year” awards to Dr. Owoh and Dr. Wright for their commitment to improving public education, personal reflections from current and former AmeriCorps members and live entertainment by the Rodney Block Collective.
“It is truly an honor to be recognized as an ‘Idealist of the Year.’ This acknowledgment speaks to the collective commitment of our educators, partners and community members who show up for our scholars every single day,” said Dr. Jeremy Owoh. “I’m especially grateful for partnerships like City Year that pour time, energy and heart into our schools. That kind of consistency and care makes a real difference. You can see it in our classrooms and feel it in our culture.”
“I’m honored to receive the Idealist of the Year award from City Year. Congratulations, also, to my fellow honoree on this well-deserved recognition,” said Dr. Jermall Wright. “The work in Little Rock shows our shared commitment to students and the power of partnership. Our daily collaboration with City Year drives real change, and this honor represents our collective impact on students and the community.”
Additional information about City Year’s Graduation Gala: A Red Jacket Celebration of Service, including sponsorships and individual tickets, is available at support.cityyear.org/LRGradGala.
About City Year
City Year recently marked 20 years of service in Central Arkansas. For the 2025-2026 academic year, AmeriCorps members, also known as student success coaches, serve as full-time tutors and mentors in schools within the Little Rock School District and the Jacksonville North Pulaski School District.
