Troy Pays Tribute to the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Honor the legacy of one of America’s greatest leaders at the 2014 “MLK – A Celebration of Freedom,” a tribute to the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The annual program will take place at Athens High School on Monday, Jan. 20 at 8:30 a.m. There is no charge to attend, but donations will be accepted to help organize next year’s program.  All ages are welcome.

“We look forward to capturing the spirit of Dr. King and remembering his life through this celebration,” Cindy Stewart, Community Affairs Director for the City of Troy said.  “This community event is a meaningful way to pause and reflect on his uncompromising dedication to garnering civil rights for all people.” 

The Celebration kicks off with a welcome by Prasanna Vengedam, founding President of South Asian American Voices for Impact.  She will also lead our symbolic Unity Walk with Troy School District students around Athens High School.

This will be followed by our Keynote Speaker Kimberly Simmons, creator of a program called, "Caroline Quarlls, A Family Legacy of Freedom" that was recognized by the National Park Service's National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom in 2005 as a national program of the network.  She is also a National Site Partner as well as having written several Network to Freedom designations since 2008. 

Kimberly’s ancestor, Caroline Quarlls, is documented and honored historically as the first Underground Railroad escapee through the State of Wisconsin in 1842 and the program is a view of her journey over three months and 1000 miles through five states and into Canada after crossing the river at Detroit. “Due to my ancestors' route to freedom and the research around her journey, my presentation touches many well known and other unsung heroes in this region as well as the Midwest as she was escorted to freedom. After her arrival and marriage to another Freedom Seeker, Kimberly’s Great Great Great Grandfather Allen Watkins, they established a family that has been in the SE Michigan / SW Ontario region for 182 years,” said Kimberly Siimons. 

As the only National Park Service NTF Network Partner in Michigan, Kimberly has many working partnerships with local, regional, national and international scholars and UGRR historians with the mission to celebrate, educate, and honor those whose tenacity, perseverance  and courage in the cause of freedom is also a celebration of this great area's civil rights legacy.  As most historians will agree the Underground Railroad was the beginning of the modern day Civil Rights movement which is a great part of this region's heritage.

“It is this heritage that gives me opportunity to speak on the intersection of courage and freedom typified by the man the day honors - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” said Kimberly Simmons.

There will be music performances by the Barnard Elementary School Jammin’ Jays, “A Celebration of Diversity” and the Troy High School Colts Drumline. A continental breakfast prepared by Sodexo Food Service will immediately follow the program.

In addition, there will be a Troy School District student art exhibit and recognition of the middle school and high school winners of the MLK Essay Contest and Video Contest. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education.”   This year’s theme for the essay and video contests is “How has your education shaped both your intellect and your character?”

“We receive hundreds of essays and videos from students about how Dr. King’s legacy has affected them and how they are taking action to make the City of Troy a better place,” said Kerry Birmingham, Troy School District. “From accepting others within our diverse community to exploring others unique viewpoints, the efforts demonstrated in the essays were amazing.  It’s truly inspiring to see that Dr. King’s words and actions are still living on in our youth.”

Organized by the City of Troy and the Troy School District, this year’s event is sponsored by: Troy Community Coalition, Troy Foundation for Educational Excellence, Alliance Mobile Health, Beaumont Troy, Walsh College, Sodexo Food Service, Troy Interfaith Group, Big Beaver United Methodist Church, Kelly Services, Lutheran Church of the Master, and Community Bowling Centers – Troy Lanes & Bowl One.

“We are so grateful to our local businesses for sponsoring this wonderful event,” added Stewart. “They are also an inspiration in their commitment to partner with the City of Troy and Troy School District in supporting such a moving tribute to Dr. King.”

Athens High School is located at 4333 John R.  For more information about the program call the Community Affairs Office at 248.524.1147.

Source: City of Troy