30 Dec 2023 Five-Oh-Ones to Watch 2024: Kendra Pruitt, Little Rock Mayor’s Office

From small-town lawyer to Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr.’s Chief of Staff, Kendra Pruitt has broken barriers her entire life.

Determined to achieve her dreams of becoming a lawyer, the Newport native spread her wings, attending Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia before graduating with her Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas in 2013, growing relationships with everyone she met along the way.

“One of my favorite sayings is ‘grow where you’re planted,’” Pruitt said. “Examine the world around you, educate yourself on your experiences and execute. Those life lessons guide us toward success in everything we do.”

Amid a highly energized Little Rock mayoral election in 2018, Pruitt was hard at work building her reputation as a lawyer when a phone call changed her trajectory.

“One day, an attorney friend of mine reached out and asked me to join Mayor Scott’s campaign,” Pruitt said. “They were looking for a fresh perspective to get across the finish line. I came aboard as an advisor helping with debate prep and legal research. For me, it was all about making sure our city had good leadership.”

Following Mayor Scott’s election win, Pruitt’s hard work paid off with a big opportunity.

“After the election, Mayor Scott asked me to join him as his senior advisor,” Pruitt said. “The rest is history. I served as senior advisor and chief strategist until 2022 when I became chief of staff.”

As Mayor Scott’s right hand, Pruitt manages everything from hiring and personnel issues in 15 city departments to implementation of strategic innovations for the city.

“It is truly an honor to serve the people of Little Rock,” Pruitt said. “I went from 40 clients as a lawyer to more than 200,000 clients: the residents of Little Rock. I see myself as a servant leader for our residents and do everything in my power to uplift, elevate and advocate change in their lives every day.”

Pruitt attributes the opportunities she has earned to the relationships she has made.

“I believe in the power of networking and mentorship,” Pruitt said. “As a young black woman from rural Arkansas wanting to go to law school, I didn’t know any lawyers personally. My pastor connected me with Candice Smith Kellogg, a Little Rock lawyer who happened to be speaking in Newport. She was impressed by my initiative and ambition and took me under her wing. It was through her that I eventually met Mayor Scott, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without that opportunity.”

As a philanthropist, Pruitt runs Club R.E.S.T.O.R.E., a nonprofit organization in Newport focused on empowering students to excel. She has previously served on the board for First Tee-Central Arkansas and the Pulaski County Youth Services board and is passionate about paying mentorship forward.

“I believe it’s my duty to lend a helping hand to others who need opportunities, relationships and work experience,” Pruitt said. “I’m constantly having others shadow me. I hire as many interns as I can, and I constantly make myself available to young people with big dreams like me.

I want to give back to young people and be an example of what they can achieve by providing programming and opportunities for them.”