The city’s 51st annual Martin Luther King Day celebration, held Jan. 16, included performances and the presentations of two awards to community members carrying on King’s legacy.
Sharon Jackson Wilder, the inaugural chief equity and inclusion officer for Montgomery College, delivered a keynote address based on the celebration’s theme of “Boldly Imagining Our Future.” Spoken word artist Unique Robinson served as the emcee. Find highlights of the celebration this month on Rockville 11, channel 11 on county cable, and on the city’s YouTube channel.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Award, awarded to a high school student or students who live in or attend school in Rockville and have worked to fulfill King’s dream in either their school or their community, was awarded to two students.
Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Award.
Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Award.
Richard Montgomery High School student Dana Ayebara was recognized for her contributions to MoCo Against Brutality, a student-led campaign to end police violence and reform the criminal justice system.
Rockville High School student Helen Mesfin was recognized for her work as president of the school’s Minority Scholars Program, which started a conversation and initiative on antiracism.
The F. Michael Taff Award, awarded to an individual, organization or business that has helped to improve the lives of people with disabilities in the City of Rockville, such as through efforts to improve accessibility or raise public awareness, was awarded to Living Independently for Everyone, Inc. LIFE, Inc. is a nonprofit that provides programs and services for people with disabilities to live self-sufficiently and interdependently through empowerment, access to cultural diversity in the arts, and employment.