Community unites to celebrate MLK Day

WARREN — Elected officials, clergy, educators, students and the community filled Warren City Hall’s atrium on Jan. 15 to celebrate the birthday of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., whose life of love through service continues to empower and advance generations.

The theme of the event was “Shifting the Climate — Focus on Love.” Encompassed in the power of love was service unto others, love through justice, excellence, education and achievement, empowered voices and an empowered vote. On many of the audio presentations, King can be heard urging those who came to see him speak to vote. Many of the speakers in attendance at Warren’s event encouraged the audience to do the same.

The program combined great audio orations of King, dynamic speakers and delightful children.

“Now we got to get this thing right. What is needed is a realization that power without love is reckless and abusive and that love without power is sentimental and anemic. Power at its best is love, implementing the demands of justice. And justice at its best is love, correcting everything that stands against love,” King said in an audio presentation.

“Dr. King embodied the saying, ‘Be the change you wish to see in the world,’” said former Warren Mayor James Fouts, who was in attendance.

“One would have to say that he (King) is one of only a handful of people to literally change history in the United States by following the view and guidelines of Mahatma Gandhi,” Fouts said.

Gandhi taught nonviolence, which is the example King followed.

Fouts credits King as being an integral part in getting President Lyndon B. Johnson to pass the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act. 

“This changed the trajectory in the way people voted in the south and all over,” Fouts said.  “He was a person of consequence by standing up for what he believed and by speaking out he changed things.”

The event started with a beautiful rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” also known as the Black national anthem, sung by Kayla Lloyd.

Guest speaker Darienne Hudson, president and CEO of the United Way for Southeastern Michigan, spoke about love, service and paying it forward. The poised businesswoman, former educator and now nonprofit leader was brought to tears as she remembered her grandmother leaving her and her sister tuition money for their first year of college. Hudson has paid it forward by raising more than $37 million for the United Way and providing more than 370,000 people with food assistance.

The Life Application Ministries Christian Church Youth Department reenacted a living museum honoring King and other notable African Americans in history: Fannie Lou Hamer, activist and voting champion; Katherine Johnson, NASA mathematician; and Thurgood Marshall, U.S. Supreme Court justice. The Youth Praise Team sang about love and God. A string performance was given by Florella Strings. Spoken word artist Alexis Hurley from Warren Woods Christian School shared King’s message on education.

For many in attendance, the children were the highlight of the event.

“The amazing kids. They sang their hearts out,” said state Rep. Donavan McKinney, D-Detroit, as he talked about what stood out to him at the celebration.

“I was almost in tears as they talked about God. As we honor MLK on this day, it’s all about love, service and justice. And ensure that everybody has a voice, that everybody is heard, that everybody means something and is worth something. It’s a good reminder to young people, you can change the world.”

Warren Mayor Lori Stone shared one of her favorite quotes by King: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

Stone said the greatest gift she received was the gift of unconditional love from her parents.  She recited the Bible’s 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.

“Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not envy. It does not boast. It does not (inaudible). It does not dishonor others. It is not self-seeking. It is not easily angered. It keeps no record of wrong. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”

The mayor continued.

“I carry this message into my life of public service.” Stone said.

She spoke of acts of hate, injustice and intolerance in Warren.

“We will not allow these acts to define us,” Stone said.

She also spoke about terms that were used to describe Warren.

“I had never heard the terminology ‘a sundown town’ until I was well into adulthood,” Stone said. “I could not grasp the reluctance of some of my friends to even consider moving into Warren, even recently. Until we name a problem, we cannot change it.”

Gathered at the MLK celebration was a “melting pot” of community, cultures, religions and races.

“Coming from a community that has such a bad reputation when it comes to racism in the city, I wanted to show people that is a small number,” said Jacqueline Kelly. “This is what Warren looks like. It’s diverse. It’s everyone coming together for one common goal, and that is love, and to make sure our city is well taken care of. And I believe the people who have been elected will do just that, so I will always be supportive of them.”

“I am just amazed at all of these amazing folks. It’s a melting pot here. It’s not just one race here.  It’s all over the place here,” McKinney said. “I just love it.”