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DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

Commission of Mid-Michigan

Dear Friends.

We are excited to return in person to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.!
Although we had success broadcasting our annual event and garnering an Emmy for our 2021
Andy Schor televised Day of Celebration, there is no comparison to being present with you. The Covid 19
Mayor, City of Lansing
Pandemic taught us many lessons. The most significant, I believe, is the knowledge of our
Ron Bacon immutable interconnectedness, how we are indeed inextricably tied to one another and as King
Mayor, City of East Lansing
has said, what affects one directly affects us all indirectly. It further illustrated that when we pull
together the load is certainly lighter, but also there is nothing that is impossible for us. We also
Elaine Hardy
Chairperson have a better appreciation of what a truly incredible day this is for our region. On behalf of the
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of mid-Michigan, we offer our sincerest gratitude to the
Tristan Wright
Vice Chairperson Lansing community, and our sponsors for the unshakeable support you have extended to this
Commission. Thank you!
Tony Baltimore
1 Vice Chairperson
st
The Commission is pleased to present to the mid-Michigan community Fred Gray, our nation’s
Steve Japinga preeminent civil rights attorney, who is most widely known for his representation of Mrs. Rosa
Treasurer Parks and the Tuskegee Syphilis Study Victims. His boldness and courage at a young age to fight
for equality and the dismantling of segregation, particularly in the Deep South, paved the way for
Kelli Ellsworth Etchison
Secretary other lawyers and social rights activists to engage in the civil rights movement.
Dr. Bryan Beverly Our theme, “Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksand of racial injustice to the solid
Fonda Brewer
Michael Flowers rock of brotherhood” speaks to the transformational place in history this nation once again finds
Whitney Harrell itself. I believe the words Dr. King so eloquently spoke all those years ago has challenged us to
Bob Hoffman hold fast the belief that a nation of laws will also be a nation where justice and equality would
Dr. Lee June
Lonnie Lee reign for all its citizens. Your presence here today signifies your commitment and willingness to
Dr. Denise Maybank see his legacy fulfilled for all humankind.
Rosa Moss-Hargrove
Nicole Noll-Williams
Geraldine Potter I have truly been honored to serve as the 2022 chairperson for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Kristen Shelly Commission of mid-Michigan. I am joined by 19 other people who have committed themselves
Randall Talifarro
Anthony Winston to preserving the King legacy. It has been my privilege to serve with them.

Mia McNeil Let us take today to celebrate the legacy of Dr. King and tomorrow challenge ourselves, our
Legal Counsel nation, and our world to move firmly to the solid “Rock of Brotherhood.”

Emeritus
James W Butler III Sincerely,
Bruce McAttee
Joel Ferguson Elaine J. Hardy, Chairperson
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Mid-Michigan

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