Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families hosts its Friends of Children Annual Luncheon to celebrate the power of advocacy in improving the lives of children and families across our state. Visit our event page for more information and to buy tickets.
This year we are privileged to honor Dr. Fitz Hill and Tonya Williams for their important work on behalf of our state’s children, and for all they’ve done to ensure that kids in Arkansas have the resources and opportunities they need to be healthy and successful.
The luncheon will also include a special tribute to Jo Luck (1941-2025), who in 1978 was hired as the first Executive Director for Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families.
Dr. Fitz Hill
Fitzgerald Hill is a father, educator, coach, entrepreneur and former President of the 142-year-old Arkansas Baptist College. In 2006, Dr. Hill was hired to lead the only Historical Black Baptist College west of the Mississippi River. After 10 years of progressive academic and community-building leadership, Dr. Hill stepped down to assume leadership roles as Executive Director of the Arkansas Baptist College Foundation and The Scott Ford Center for Entrepreneurship and Community Development. Arkansas Baptist College re-engaged Dr. Hill in 2025 to assist with day-to-day operations. Coach Hill is also the visionary founder of the Derek Olivier Research Institute for the Prevention of Gun Violence and 1stand45.com, which examines social determinants birthing the Black male homicide epidemic in the United States.
In 2017, Dr. Hill assisted in the efforts to create the Little Rock School District Athletic Foundation to provide financial support to re-incorporate extra-curricular activities with role models and mentors to promote academic retention for at-risk students.
A U.S. Army veteran, he received the Bronze Star and Commendation Medal for services in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Coach Hill served on the Razorback football coaching staff under five different head coaches and earned his doctorate in Higher Education Leadership. He served as Head Coach of San Jose State University Spartans from 2000-2004.
Tonya Williams
Prior to retiring, Tonya Williams served as Assistant Commissioner of the Office of Early Childhood at the Department of Education from 2023-2025. Tonya served as the Director of the Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education for 20 years, which included child care licensing, overseeing the federal Child Care Development Funds, Child Nutrition, and Preschool Development Grant. Child Care Development Funds focused on direct services for eligible children/families, early childhood workforce and improving quality in child care/early childhood. During her service, pre-k was acknowledged by the National Institute for Early Education Research for the state’s investment, focus on quality and number of 3- and 4-year-olds served.
Before becoming a state employee, Tonya worked in three Head Start programs where she served as an Even Start Family Literacy Coordinator and Head Start Director. She helped establish the Head Start Collaboration Office in 1996 where she worked until 2001. During her time with the Head Start Collaboration State Office, she had the opportunity to partner with Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families and other organizations and learned much about advocacy work in Arkansas.
Tonya is a graduate of Arkansas Tech University. She is married to Randall Williams. They share five daughters, including a former Italian exchange student, and seven grandchildren.
Jo Luck (1941-2025)
Jo Luck was hired in 1978 as the first Executive Director for Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families. The Board of Directors wanted to be sure that the person they hired had a diverse history of experience. They wanted to be sure that no one field should receive preference in setting AACF priorities and establishing action projects.
Prior to joining AACF, Jo Luck designed and supervised an innovative program in parent education, was a commercial artist, arts and crafts instructor, political campaign staff coordinator, administrative aide to Governor David Pryor during his first legislative session, and Assistant Director of the Governor’s Office of Volunteer Services. She coordinated statewide efforts such as the Committee of 100 for the Ozark Folk Center. She was an active volunteer and engaged parent. A graduate of Hendrix College, she was active in their alumni association.
According to her daughter Beth Gray, Jo Luck considered her time as AACF’s Executive Director a “cornerstone in her life.”
Following her time at AACF, she was appointed Executive Director of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, making her among the first women to hold a cabinet-level post in the State. In 1989, she joined Heifer International and three years later became President and CEO. Under her leadership, Heifer grew from a modest nonprofit into a global organization with a budget exceeding $130 million, delivering sustainable agriculture and development programs that improved the lives of millions of families in more than 50 countries.
In 2010, Jo Luck received the World Food Prize for her contributions to global food security and her innovative, community-centered approach to development. She was inducted into the Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame in 2015.
Jo Luck is survived by her daughter, Beth Wilson Gray (Paul) of Russellville; her son, Mark Wilson (Vy) of New York City; grandchildren Jenny McElroy (Justin), Zach Gray (Jess), and Ariston Gray (Matt); and great-grandchildren Grayden and Emma.