The Arkansas Black Hall of Fame induction ceremony will highlight six new members,including James Thrower NFL star and business, philanthropic and civic leader.
Thrower is a former American football defensive back.
Thrower was born in Camden, Arkansas, in 1947. He attended Lincoln High School and played college football at Texas A&M–Commerce.
Thrower played professional football as a defensive back in the National Football League (NFL) for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1970 to 1972. He was fired by the Eagles in November 1972.
He next played for the Detroit Lions during the 1973 and 1974 seasons. While with the Lions, he was a backup to cornerback Lem Barney and also served as captain of the special team unit. He was also a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.[5] During the 1975, was placed on the injured reserve list. The Detroit Free Press called him the captain of the injured reserve list.[
In three years in the NFL, Thrower appeared in a total of 46 NFL games, four of them as a starter
After retiring from football, Thrower worked for the Stroh Brewery Co. and later Michigan Consolidated Gas Co. He was also a leading fundraiser for the NAACP.[
The ABHOF in-person induction ceremony and variety show will be held at 7 p.m. Oct. 15 at the Robinson Center Music Hall in Little Rock.
The ceremony will celebrate the ABHOF's 30th anniversary and formally admit the newest class of inductees. This will be the first in-person gala in two years due to covid-19, according to the recent ABHOF news release.
Tickets to the cocktail hour and show are available at arblackhalloffame.org.
INDUCTEES
The 2022 inductees also include:
Ketty Lester from Hope -- TV and motion picture actress, singer, songwriter and recording artist.
James Thrower from Camden -- NFL star and business, philanthropic and civic leader.
Hattie Hill from Moro -- international business consultant, entrepreneur and philanthropic leader.
Sherman Banks of Little Rock -- international citizen diplomat, honorary consul general to Ghana and arts education patron.
Gertrude Newsome Jackson from Gum Bottom -- (posthumous) educator and social justice and civil rights leader.
"Our 2022 class of inductees continue the tradition of showcasing the tremendous talent that Arkansas produces," said Charles Stewart, ABHOF chairman. "The covid-19 pandemic paused our plans in 2020 and again in 2021, so we look forward to an amazing ceremony for our inductees, their family and friends and others as we celebrate the return to the Robinson and 30 years of recognizing some of our state's best."
With the long-awaited induction ceremony, the ABHOF Foundation will continue to fund raise towards improving education, health and wellness, youth development, and strengthening families in Black and other underserved communities throughout Arkansas.
This year, with the generous support of corporate partners, the foundation awarded $50,000 through 16 mission-related grants, according to the release.
Throughout its history, the foundation has sought to correct the omissions of history and to remind the world that Black history is a significant part of American history.
The foundation honors the contributions of Black Americans through its annual induction ceremony and awards grants to support charitable endeavors. Since 2010, ABHOF grants have impacted Arkansans in 69 of Arkansas' 75 counties.
The foundation aims to provide an environment in which future generations of Black achievers with Arkansas roots will thrive and succeed.