Telegram - Serving Metropolitan Detroit Since 1944

On January 16th, the Dearborn Heights Community and Cultural Relations Commission held its 2nd annual Walk Of Service for Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This event started at one o'clock in the afternoon in Annapolis High Schools' gym. They had a handful of speakers, such as Superintendent of District 7 Dr. Ty Weeks, President of Western Wayne County NAACP Gina Wilson Steward, and keynote speaker Michigan Supreme Court Justice Kyra Harris Bolden.

All these fantastic speakers talked about how the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King affected them as well as how his impact on this nation led many people to where they are today. Before the walk began, the crowd also heard from Pastor Leon Porter of Champion Church, who led a heartfelt and beautiful prayer. After a quick thank you to the event sponsors, the walk began down Annapolis St. to Pardee Elementary and back. During this walk, it was a great time where people learned a bit about other people who attended this event. Some shared stories of events they attended earlier that day, some shared that they didn't even live in Dearborn Heights, and some were old friends. It was truly amazing to see such a diverse group of people in a state of unity for one cause, sharing Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s message.

Mayor Bill Bazzi of Dearborn Heights had this to say about the event's outcome: "It was an event, great to see the community come together and pay tribute to Dr. King. I want to thank the CCRC for organizing and Miss McDonnell for being an MC."

Representatives from throughout the state came out to Honor Dr. King

Chairwoman Gater of the Community and Cultural Relations Commission had this to say about the event's outcome: "Thank you to Dr. MLK and his family for their sacrifice and teachings that have benefited us all. I truly believe the progressive liberties we've been granted would not have happened if it wasn't for him and other civil rights leaders. The biggest of thank yous to my fellow CCRC members for being so dedicated in living our collective today. Kenji Fujita (Event Chairman) was phenomenal to work under. Thank you to the Dearborn Heights Community, Dearborn Heights City Hall District 7 Schools, and Dearborn Heights Community Food Pantries Project for helping the Dearborn Heights Community & Cultural Relations Commission host such a wonderful and community-driven event to honor the legacy of Dr. MLK. Thank you to our distinguished speakers; Kyra Harris Bolden Supreme Court Justice, D7 Superintendent Dr. Ty Weeks, NAACP Western Wayne President Gina Wilson Steward, and Pastor Porter Leon. WE HEAR YOU, WE SEE YOU, AND WE APPRECIATE ALL OF THE PUBLIC SERVITUDE AND SACRIFICE YOU MAKE. We are grateful for our sponsors, Dearborn Federal Savings Bank and League of Women Voters | Dearborn-Dearborn Hts. U.S./State of Michigan/Wayne County/Dearborn/Dearborn Heights and its wide array of leaders were in full force. Your leadership, service, and support are much appreciated as well. Continue to support DEI initiatives in Dearborn Heights and from wherever you are. I leave you with this message- "We all have the capability to lead, change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek." –Barack Obama."

If you ever get a chance, check out the Dearborn Heights Community and Cultural Relations Commissions Facebook page to see if any future events pique your interest.