Community members gather at Fountain Street Church for the 39th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration.
Grand Rapids celebrated its 39th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration at Fountain Street Church, featuring powerful speakers and scholarship awards. Highlights included talks on diversity and justice, as well as performances by student scholarship recipients. The event brought together the community to reflect on King’s legacy and the importance of ongoing activism for equity.
Grand Rapids recently held its 39th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration, a heartfelt tribute to the legacy of one of America’s greatest civil rights leaders. This year, the event took place at the iconic Fountain Street Church on March 26, bringing together community members and leaders to honor King’s commitment to peace, justice, and equality for minorities. Originally set for February, the postponement due to challenging weather conditions only heightened the anticipation for this significant gathering.
The commemoration featured an impressive line-up of speakers. This included the remarkable Richard Pappas, President of Davenport University, who emphasized the critical importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). His words set the tone for a night filled with inspiring reflections on the advancements that still need to be made. Alongside him was Jamarcus Wiggins, who played a crucial role at the Adult Admissions Transfer department, bringing a unique perspective to the table.
The lineup also showcased the insights of Philomena Mantella, President of Grand Valley State University (GVSU), and Robert Shorty, Vice President for People, Equity, and Culture at GVSU. They shared compelling thoughts on Dr. King’s enduring legacy, particularly concerning the continuing challenges faced by the DEI initiatives today. Adding to this enriching conversation was Nygil Likely from Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC), discussing the invaluable connection between education and King’s civil rights philosophy.
In a remarkable show of support for education, the ceremony recognized inspiring students through the MLK Inherit the Dream Scholarship. This year, GVSU took an extra step by renaming its scholarship to honor Bobby Springer, acknowledging Springer’s contributions as the director of the GEAR UP program. Among the scholarship recipients were several dedicated and talented individuals, including Jerahmy Gray and Maria Ramirez-Lopez from GRU Preparatory Academy, along with Valeria Caceres Suárez from Nicaragua and Avalyn Rose DeFrang from Sparta High School at GRCC. Kenneil Michael Tucker, the Davenport scholarship recipient, had to miss this notable event due to unforeseen circumstances.
The spotlight of the evening shone brightly on LaTosha Brown, co-founder of Black Voters Matter, who delivered an impassioned keynote address. She spoke about the urgent need for action and resilience in the face of adversity, reiterating the paramount importance of equity and justice. Her words resonated deeply with those in attendance, as she shared personal stories highlighting the lived experiences of marginalization due to poverty.
Following her talk, scholarship winners Shayna “Akanke” Haynes Heard and Carlos Cubia inspired the crowd with their messages about the power of spoken word poetry and the necessity of immediate action in the fight for equity. Haynes highlighted how poetry can act as a vessel for change, while Cubia reminded everyone that standing up for equity is imperative, regardless of opposition.
The commemoration not only honored the past but also encouraged a forward-looking vision for community engagement. A video presentation showcased notable speakers from previous years, tying together Grand Rapids’ rich tradition of remembering and advocating for King’s dreams.
The event was live-streamed, allowing those who couldn’t attend in person to join in this meaningful celebration. Following the event, LaTosha Brown continued her mission of community engagement with another program on March 27 at Davenport University, focusing on King’s ongoing legacy. Grand Rapids successfully brought together a diverse audience to reflect, celebrate, and commit to action for a better future.
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