In this episode of You’re Invited, host Kim Meyer-Webb sits down with retired Little Rock Central High School Principal Nancy Rousseau and proud alumna Tonya Hooks to discuss the rich history, diverse present, and bright future of one of America’s most iconic educational institutions. Together, they dive into what makes Central High’s educational experience so special—from its global student body speaking nearly 40 different languages to the robust academic programs that prepare students for the world. They also discuss the vital role of the Tiger Foundation, an initiative supporting academics, arts, athletics, and citizenship, and how community involvement continues to uplift public education.

During the conversation, Nancy Rousseau reflects on her 31-year tenure at Central High and 53 years in public education, sharing how the student body evolved into a vibrant, multicultural community representing nearly 40 countries. She highlights Central High's extensive academic offerings, including Advanced Placement courses, concurrent college credit, JROTC, and vocational trade programs. Tonya Hooks shares her personal experience as a student, the lifelong mentorship she received, and how the Tiger Foundation fills critical gaps to support students and preserve school history, including restoring the school's historic Steinway piano. They also share memorable stories from Central High’s past, including hosting national leaders, world figures, and surviving an unexpected tornado during a presidential event.

As Nancy Rousseau notes, "Little Rock Central High School: Many cultures, one world." Tonya Hooks adds, "The bad things happen because we don't get involved, and the good things continue to happen because we stay involved. Get involved. Show up for the kids."

To learn more about supporting the school, visit the Tiger Foundation website at lrchstrigerfoundation.org or visit invitingarkansas.com.

This episode was hosted by Kim Meyer-Webb, with guests Nancy Rousseau and Tonya Hooks. It was produced by Steve Rogus, sound engineer Craig Brookshire and video production by Scott Harris. You’re Invited is a production of Inviting Arkansas in partnership with Vines/Brookshire (vinesbrookshire.com). Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen.

Shae Hughes’s story is a masterclass in resilience and the power of a second chance. At thirty years old, feeling trapped in a dead-end job in Jonesboro, she made the defining decision to reclaim her future for the sake of her family.

"I realized I needed to make a change for myself and my daughter, so I decided to go back to school."

Her academic path began at Arkansas State University, where she earned her associate degree, before transferring to UA Little Rock to complete her bachelor’s degree in communications and professional sales. Today, she works as the Marketing and Community Engagement Manager at Park Plaza. When she was first interviewed for the role, she reached a career milestone she will never forget.

"When they asked if I had a college degree during the interview, I was proudly able to say, 'Yes, I do!'"

The Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund does things differently. Instead of sending funds directly to university billing offices, they put the money directly into the hands of the parents. This financial flexibility allows recipients to cover the real-world emergencies that usually force single parents to drop out—things like sudden car repairs, utility bills, groceries, or childcare.

But as Shae points out, the financial aid is only half the battle. The program’s wrap-around support, mentorship, and community check-ins are what truly keep students going when things get tough.

"The main reason single parents persevere through tough times is simply that someone believed in them and encouraged them."

In a beautiful, full-circle achievement, Shae now sits on the Board of Directors for ASPSF, actively guiding the very organization that helped lift her out of poverty.

In this episode of the podcast, host Kim Meyer-Webb sits down with Cade Bethea to explore the recent activities of the Arkansas Cinema Society and the highly anticipated return of their annual film festival, Filmland. Cade shares insights into the background of the society, noting its steady expansion since 2018 and looking forward to the upcoming tenth iteration of the festival next year. He emphasizes the core tenets of the organization—watch, make, learn—and details their extensive efforts to foster film education and production across the state through workshops, classes, and special screenings. A key aspect of their work is the collaboration with other cultural institutions, notably the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, which provides a high-quality venue for year-round cinematic experiences.

The highlight of the discussion centers around the big announcement for this year's Filmland: "Variety is giving the Legends and Groundbreaker Award to Matthew McConaughey at Filmland." Cade reflects on the massive response to this news, admitting that the office has seen an unprecedented amount of interest and demand, noting, "it's we've never seen anything like it, which is good, it's a good problem to have, but it's also a little overwhelming." The connection between the actor and the state is further underscored by past productions like the film Mud, directed by co-founder Jeff Nichols and shot in the Stuttgart area, which left a lasting impression on the local community.

Looking beyond the star power, Cade emphasizes that the core reason to attend Filmland is to engage directly with the burgeoning filmmaking environment in Arkansas, particularly through the festival's dedicated Arkansas section and pitch contests, which provide practical funding and resources for local creators. Educational programs, such as the summer film filmmaking lab for teen girls, remain central to their mission, helping to shape the next generation of storytellers. The episode wraps up with a reminder of the unique social and community aspect of the festival, featuring daily happy hours and opportunities to mingle with visiting directors and producers, making it a fully immersive and unmissable summer event for film lovers.