HomeMy WebLinkAboutPetition - Street Name Change 022124stname.doc
11/13/15
PETITION FOR A CHANCE OF
STREET NAME
PLANING COMMISSION MEETING DOCKETED FOR _ A10Z4 L, �� 2bZ , AT
P.M.
A petition is hereby submitted to the Board of Directors of the City of Little Rock, Arkansas through the
Little Rock Planning Commission, requesting a change of name for the following described street.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
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LOCATION: RaA?— St`_$u°kt'CZSi_ C 4LtA4:;'H 0=��1N
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PROPOSED NAME: t--)^P4 L LS N
SITE: S[ ]. FT.
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Present use of the properties the street serves:
No_ of Residences
No. of Businesses-9-
It is understood that notice of the public hearing hereon before the Little Rock Planning Commission
will be circulated by the applicant at his/her expense to all parties in interest.
(OWNER)
(AGEN-Uk,
ADDITIONAL SIGNATURES:
NAME
PLANNING COMMISSION APPROVED:
PLANNING COMMISSION DENIED:
BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPROVED:
RESOLUTION NO.:
(MAILING ADDRESS)
HOME q
PHONE:
BUSINESS
PHONE:
ADDRESS
Signature of Secretary of Planning Commission
PETITION FOR CHANGE OF A STREET NAME
To: Little Rock Department of Planning and Development
From: Michelle Nelson, M.D.
Date: February 12, 2024
For reasons that will be outlined in the letter below, it is proposed that
Maryland/S. Taylor Street in Little Rock, AR (between Fair Park Blvd and
12th Street, near St. Mark Baptist Church) be renamed Darius Nelson
Way.
Darius Nelson, a Little Rock native, served as Minister of Music/Pastor of
Worship and Arts at St. Mark Baptist Church Little Rock for 23 years before
his passing on October 6, 2023. He was a trailblazer and trendsetter in
gospel music ministry who brought national recognition and funding to
Arkansas through his musical gifting and leadership. In both his personal
and professional life, Darius consistently demonstrated integrity,
unwavering commitment and a spirit of excellence. Although he wanted
his music to be enjoyable, Darius' primary goal was impacting people, not
simply entertaining them.
It was at his childhood church St. Paul United Methodist Church and as a
student at Parkview Fine Arts Magnet High School and Philander Smith
College where Darius began developing as a consummate singer and choir
director.
While in the award -winning Philander Smith Collegiate Choir on a full
choral scholarship, Darius performed for the National Democratic
Convention and at the inauguration of President William "Bill" Clinton.
Darius graduated from college with a degree in Social Work and was a
caseworker for 10 years for Children and Family services.
In 2000, Darius was hired as a full-time Worship Leader at St. Mark Baptist
Church. He served at their two locations (Little Rock and Jacksonville, AR)
as leader of the praise team, a group which became a model for many
area worship teams. Darius led the entire Music and Arts Department at
St. Mark and in 2005 he was promoted to Minister of Music.
After further cultivating the choir's signature sound and a diverse catalogue
of traditional and contemporary gospel music, Darius victoriously led his 75
voice choir to Verizon's "How Sweet the Sound" National Choir
Competition. In 2013, Darius and the choir won the national competition
and were given the title "America's Best Gospel Choir / Best Church
Choir in the Nation." They received a $25,000 grand prize to take back to
Arkansas.
The choir got even more national recognition for Arkansas when they
accepted an invitation to provide music for a White House Christmas
party hosted by President Barack Obama.
There is no mistaking Darius' rich baritone voice. His unique tone boasts
the perfect balance of masculine strength and captivating tenderness. But a
distinctive voice was not the only thing that set Darius apart. His love for
God and passion for praise made him one of the most powerful and
anointed worship leaders around. Hearts were mended, spirits were lifted
and the manifest presence of God was felt whenever Darius ministered in
song. Even recordings of his voice and his choir evoke the presence and
power of God. His gift and anointing were part of the reason so many
people are attracted to St. Mark, the largest African -American church in the
state.
Darius' music continued to flourish even during tremendously trying times —
when St. Mark was without a senior pastor for almost 2 years and when the
church was without an on -site congregation for more than 2 years as a
result of the COVID 19 pandemic.
During its tenure without a senior pastor, St. Mark looked to Darius and his
music for a sense of stability and consistency. He was committed and
dependable. He was always there and always excellent. He and the choir
served as a comforting constant in an otherwise unsettling time.
Even in the absence of a senior pastor, St. Mark not only survived, but
thrived, in some respects. Many times in that season, because of the
overwhelming move of the Spirit of God during the music ministry, sermons
weren't even able to be presented. Instead, the entire church service was
hijacked by the Holy Spirit.
In lieu of listening to the preached Word, the congregation was enveloped
by the transforming presence of God. Led by Darius, people in the pews
praised and worshipped the Lord with tear -stained faces and raised hands.
Having not heard even a single sermonic sentence, congregates would
leave church full— full of all the joy and strength they needed to tackle
another week. Those "sermonless," spirit -filled Sunday mornings
demonstrate, without a doubt, how God profoundly used Darius and his
music to truly minister and serve.
During the years of the pandemic, Darius and the praise team never
missed a beat. They never paused. They just kept ministering— socially
distanced and virtually, but effectively ministering nonetheless. They sang
songs of praise and encouragement not only for Arkansans, but literally for
people all over the country, thanks to live stream technology. Darius
received many messages from people all over the country thanking him for
leading them in worship while their churches were shutdown.
Because his voice and anointing were such a compelling combination,
Darius was often the first choice when a singer was needed for some of the
most pivotal moments in a person's life. His music made weddings and
celebrations more memorable and joyous. At funerals his voice comforted
and soothed.
Darius was force in music ministry. The fabric of his ministry covered so
many. Through song, he spread the gospel at St. Mark Baptist Church for
23 years— shining a light on Jesus, putting a melody in people's hearts to
help with life's challenges and helping to lead souls to Christ. Naming a
street in Darius' honor would be a well -deserved honor and reminder of the
impact and legacy he has left.
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PETITION FOR STREET RENAMING
We, the undersigned residents or businesses, affirm our support for renaming Maryland/S. Taylor Street (between Fair Park
Blvd and 12th Street) to Darius Nelson Way.
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SIGNATURE FORM FOR STREET RENAMING
As the owner of 1201 S. Fillmore St, Little Rock, AR 72204,
I l- 4-vr , ,, 4<.n ,ram
affirm my support for the renaming of Maryland/S. Taylor Street
(between Fair Park Blvd and 12th Street) to Darius Nelson Way.
Signature:
Date:
/2
�
1 /9/2024
Dear Department of Planning and Development,
As president of the Oak Forest Neighborhood Association, I am writing to affirm our
complete support for renaming a street in our district near St. Mark Baptist Church in
honor and memory of Darius Nelson who served for 23 years as their Pastor of Worship
and Arts.
Changing the name of Maryland/S.Taylor Street (between Fair Park Blvd and 12th
Street) to Darius Nelson Way would be a fitting tribute to his long career in ministry
and contributions to the community.
Thank you for our consideration,
Gary Iverson
President
Oak Forest Neighborhood Association