14 Apr 2025 Emmy Award-Winning news anchor will share his story at Wolfe Street Foundation’s Red Carpet Recovery Gala
LITTLE ROCK — The Wolfe Street Foundation is proud to announce Emmy Award-winning news anchor Kevin Kelly as the keynote speaker for the 26th Annual Red Carpet Recovery Gala on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at The Venue at Westwind. This highly anticipated event raises funds to support Wolfe Street Foundation’s mission of providing a safe space for individuals in recovery. In keeping with that mission, the gala will once again be alcohol-free.
While Kelly is a familiar face to Arkansans as a trusted journalist at Fox16, this marks the first time he will publicly share his personal story of addiction and recovery. With 36 years in recovery, Kelly has used his platform to advocate for mental health and addiction awareness, touching on his journey in select school and community talks, particularly through his Anti-Bullying initiative. However, the Red Carpet Recovery Gala will be the first time he fully shares his story—a deeply personal decision that underscores the power of vulnerability and resilience.
“For decades, Kevin Kelly has built a career on telling other people’s stories; now, for the first time, he’s telling his own,” said Justin Buck, executive director of the Wolfe Street Foundation. “We are honored to provide the platform for Kevin to share his journey in such a meaningful way. His willingness to open up will undoubtedly inspire others and reinforce the message that recovery is possible for everyone.”
A veteran journalist with an Emmy Award-winning career spanning over three decades, Kelly has become a trusted voice in Arkansas news. As the lead anchor at Fox16, he has covered some of the state’s most impactful stories with integrity and dedication. However, behind the scenes, Kelly has lived a story of his own—a story of addiction, resilience, and recovery.
After struggling with substance use in his early years, Kelly made the life-changing decision to embrace recovery, a commitment he has maintained for 36 years. As the 2025 keynote speaker for the Red Carpet Recovery Gala, Kelly will step into the role of storyteller for the most personal story he has ever told, aiming to uplift and empower those who are navigating their own path to recovery.
The annual Red Carpet Recovery Gala is Wolfe Street Foundation’s signature fundraising event, bringing together community leaders, advocates, and individuals in recovery to celebrate resilience and support recovery services in Arkansas. The evening will include:
- Live and silent auctions
- Live entertainment
- Dinner and specialty mocktails curated by Mocktail Mo
Tickets are available for $225 per individual or $400 per couple and can be purchased online at wolfestreet.org/redcarpet.
Founded in 1982, the Wolfe Street Foundation is a recovery center for people overcoming drug or alcohol addictions. The center hosts more than 60 recovery support meetings each week and provides peer recovery support, nationally certified recovery housing, and youth recovery, prevention, and empowerment programs.
For more information, visit wolfestreet.org.
