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DIVERSITY & INCLUSION FOCUS MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2023

Mid-Michigan ‘MLK Day of Celebration’ Earns an Emmy

‘LABOR OF LOVE’ BROADCAST HONORS CORETTA KING’S WORK IN
PRESERVING MLK’S LEGACY

r. Martin Luther King was executive produced
Jr. Commission of by the commission. The
DMid-Michigan has production team was led
won an Emmy Award for by MiEntertainment Group,
®
the broadcast of its 2021 Grand Rapids. Producers
“MLK Day of Celebration” in addition to Meyer were
honoring Dr. King’s legacy. Marshall Yoder and Dyan
Yoder; Eric Nacke was the
The award is for excellence for video director, and Allen
broadcast production in the McAvoy was the audio
historical/cultural category engineer.
from the Michigan Chapter
of the National Academy of The hour-long broadcast
Television Arts & Sciences. Elaine Hardy, chair of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. included segments recorded
It was presented at the Commission of Mid-Michigan, and Kevin Meyer, president in the Grand Rapids Captus
chapter’s Emmy Award Show of MiEntertainment Group Inc., pose with the 2021 Michigan Creative studios and Van
in Detroit. Regional Emmy Award given for broadcast production excellence Andel Arena, musical
in the historical/cultural category from the Michigan Chapter of performances, remarks from
Necessitated by the the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. elected officials, and iconic
pandemic, the January civil rights photographs.
2021 broadcast was the
first time in 36 years the Featured musicians
commission transformed the included hip hop soul singer
annual event for television. Musiq Soulchild and gospel
Previously it was staged singer Tasha Cobbs-Leonard,
before a sold-out audience along with Michigan artists
of up to 2,200 at the Lansing Rodney Page, Larry Trice
Center, Lansing. Jr., Sharon Lawrence, Phil
Denny, Larry Trice III, and
“Producing this show was Lansing’s Music of a Dream
a labor of love,” said Elaine Orchestra. There was a
Hardy, commission chair. Producers of the Emmy award-winning, hour-long broadcast salute to the commission’s
“The replacement of our combined artists’ performances filmed in the Grand Rapids sponsors.
annual luncheon couldn’t Captus Creative studios and Van Andel Arena.
just be a Zoom video conference — it had to be inspirational. The program aired on WILX TV 10-NBC, Lansing. It can be
And it had to amplify the message of our keynote guest, Dr. viewed at bit.ly/MLKCom-2021.
Bernice King. We’re honored and proud the quality and spirit
of the program are recognized by others.” The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences –
Michigan Chapter represents experienced and talented
Dr. Bernice King is a global civil rights activist and daughter television professionals.
of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. She spoke
about her mother’s achievements in preserving MLK’s words Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Mid-Michigan works
and work through institutionalizing his legacy, including the to support equality, diversity, and social justice. It focuses on
establishment of MLK Day. The national holiday allows for the area’s pressing issues of literacy, youth violence, hunger,
annual reflection on creating a more just, humane, equitable, mentoring, education, and community enrichment. The
and peaceful society. nonprofit organization hosts speakers and concerts, supports
community service agencies, and promotes youth initiatives,
Hardy worked closely with Kevin Meyer, East Lansing, in such as essay and art contests, college scholarships, and an
developing the program. He’s a concert producer who has annual Y-Achievers tour for high school students. More
partnered with the commission on events for about a decade. information is at www.mlkmidmichigan.com or follow the
commission on Facebook, @MLKCommOfMidMI, and
Over 100 people are listed in the show’s credits. The program Twitter, @MLKCommOfMidMI. l

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