The 40th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration took place on Wednesday, Feb. 4 at the Wealthy Theatre in Grand Rapids. The event had previously been scheduled for Jan. 19, the federal holiday honoring King, but was postponed due to inclement weather. Billed as “a call to courageous community action,” the evening was both a celebration of King’s life and legacy and a discussion on how his teachings can be applied moving forward.
The event was kicked off by Jerry Price, Belonging Partner Advisor for Corewell Health, who began the ceremony and introduced each speaker and performer. The evening featured artistic performances including music and spoken-word poetry by local artists, as well as speeches by prominent community members and a panel discussion.
Speakers emphasized King’s concept of Beloved Community, and the idea that King’s vision can only be achieved through healthy and consistent community action…