Clark State College, Park National Bank and the City of Springfield will host the 2024 annual MLK Luncheon in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, January 12, 2024, at the Hollenbeck Bayley Creative Arts and Conference Center.
“Excited about last year’s turnout, we’re looking forward to hosting this year’s MLK Luncheon for a second time,” said Breion Hawkins, diversity coordinator at Clark State. “Last year, this event allowed folks to gather and highlight the work of community members and leaders, who help shape and continue the idea of belonging and unity and, this year, we look forward to continuing that tradition.”
The luncheon will celebrate the life and vision of Dr. King, and honor youth peacekeepers. Awards will also be announced for the recipients of the Clark State Diversity and Inclusion Award and the Springfield Diversity Champion Award.
The Clark State Diversity and Inclusion Award recognizes leadership in diversity—either internally or externally—honoring the individual or organization who have implemented innovative strategies to promote the development of skills to meet the needs of a multicultural society.
The Springfield Diversity Champion Award, presented by Clark State and the Greater Springfield Partnership, will recognize a business in the community that believes in and supports diversity and inclusion in their place of work; one who brings awareness and ensures inclusion is an everyday reality.
Keynote Speaker will be Mrs. Terra Fox Williams, president and CEO of YWCA Dayton.
Prior to her role as president and CEO of YWCA, Mrs. Fox Williams served as Public Health — Dayton and Montgomery County’s director for the office of Health Promotion, supervising the Bureau for Maternal and Child Health; Women, Infant and Children; the local office on Minority Health and more. She is deeply committed to the YW's mission of eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.
“We’re excited to have Terra Fox Williams as our speaker, as her work throughout her career has focused on making an impact on marginalized communities,” said Hawkins.
Also at the luncheon, the My Brother’s/Sister’s Keeper mentoring program will be accepting donation items and will be collected in the lobby the day of the event. Details regarding the requested items will be included in your RSVP confirmation email.
The Springfield My Brother’s Keeper and My Sister’s Keeper Chapter is a collective impact partnership between the Springfield City School District and The Conscious Connect, Inc. Programmatic support is provided by The Ohio State University Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity, AmeriCorps Vista, the Obama Foundation, and a host of local Black men and women that serve as mentors.
“Colleagues at the college, including myself, have personally volunteered as mentors with My Brother's and Sister’s Keeper, so we know the benefit this program has on the young folks who are involved,” said Hawkins.
The MLK Luncheon will be held in-person at the Hollenbeck Bayley Creative Arts and Conference Center, 275 South Limestone Street, Downtown Springfield. The event is free; however, reservations are required to attend. Reservations close on Wednesday, December 20 and seating is limited. Virtual options are not available for this event and reservations will not be accepted at the door.
Make your reservation online by December 20 at: https://bit.ly/MLK-RSVP-2024
Additional support is provided by The Springfield Foundation, Mercy Health and CareSource.
“This event is important for the community as it is a true indicator of Dr. King’s lifetime work coming to fruition,” said Hawkins. “It’s an event that builds and uplifts the community, as there’s opportunity to learn, honor, and partake in fellowship together.”