By Dr. Wesley Arden Dick, Albion College Emeritus Professor of History
& Albion Branch NAACP Second Vice President
“If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Pulitzer Prize historian Taylor Branch labeled the period 1954-1968 in American history “the King years.” Historians have called King “a modern founding father.”
Albion became part of the King years in 1963 when Dr. King spoke from the pulpit at Goodrich Chapel on the Albion College campus. The City of Albion honored “the modern founding father” in 1985 by naming its central road “The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Highway.”In 2024, plans were underway in Albion to commemorate the January 15th Martin Luther King holiday. They included the “7th Annual MLK Community Celebration and Resource Fair” and a “Protecting Democracy & Elections” reception for Jocelyn Benson, Michigan Secretary of State. Both events were to be hosted at the Marshall Opportunity High School.
Announcements and flyers went out. Then Mother Nature added a twist. On Dr. King’s birthday, Albion residents woke up to an Arctic Blast of snow, ice, sub-zero temperatures and windchills. Would anyone attend the celebration or reception?
The answer came at 4:00 p.m. as Albion citizens began to trickle into the high school. By 4:15, an audience of 100+ was there to greet Secretary Benson upon her arrival.
Jocelyn Benson has become a national figure in protecting democracy, the integrity of elections, and citizen voter rights.
On January 15th, she embarked on a tour of Michigan cities to call attention to the urgency of these issues. Albion was honored to be among the selected cities. Secretary Benson’s Albion visit was coordinated by Robert Dunklin, President of the Albion NAACP, and hosted by the Albion Branch NAACP. President Dunklin recognized City Clerk Jill Domingo, Mayor Vicky Snyder, City Council person Vivan Davis, and other political attendees. In a spirited presentation, Secretary Benson updated the Albion audience about the Michigan changes in the law that offer wider voting options.
She encouraged citizens to consider volunteering to serve as election officials and as poll watchers. Secretary Benson and President Dunklin spoke of honoring Dr. King by voting and continuing the fight to protect democracy.
Their presentations were enthusiastically applauded. Secretary Benson generously posed for photos with attendees and then was off to her next select-city.
At 5:30 p.m., it was time to open the doors for the “Community MLK Celebration.” Albion citizens once more braved the weather to visit the resource fair and to enjoy a splendid dinner in the high school cafeteria. A hearty crowd “broke bread together” at a meal made possible by support from the Albion Community Foundation’s “Boggan/Holland African American Community Fund” and other sponsors and by volunteers including Carolyn Amos, Julia Mulkey, and City Council Person Lenn Reid.
At 7:00 p.m., the crowd moved over to the high school auditorium where City Council person Andy French emceed a program featuring opening remarks by Robert Dunklin and guest speakers Mayor Snyder, Marshall Public Schools Superintendent Rebecca Jones, and State Representative Jim Haadsma.
The speakers referenced Dr. King’s “beloved community” and described ways that citizens through volunteerism, action, and unity can make Albion a model city. The mood for this evening’s celebration was enhanced by the wonderful music of the “Tehilah Praise Team,” Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church of Albion and the “4-H Creative & Expressive Arts” trio.
Maple Grove Apartments and recognized for their community volunteerism.
A group of young musicians were invited on stage to showcase the contributions of Walk the Beat, Cliff Harris, Donisha Brewer, Maurice Barry, and the Dickerson Music Company.
Executive Director Ari McCaskill introduced the Albion College Class of 2024 Build Albion Bonner Fellows who also graced the stage.
Malena Solis gave a heartfelt speech about the community connection of the Fellows program and about what Albion means to her personally.
All of this, the “7th Annual MLK Community Celebration,” was made possible by the vision, dedication, and hard work of Albion heroes Cressie Vargo and Marquetta Frost.
On January 15th, Albion once again invoked the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Jocelyn Benson highlighted the importance of voting and protecting our democracy and the “MLK Community Celebration” encouraged Albion citizens to continue to strive to make Albion a “beloved community.” The Albion citizens who braved the cold on King’s birthday exited Marshall Opportunity High School with challenges to action and warm hearts–what better way to honor Dr. King? January 15, 2024, was a great day in Albion, a proud day, a memorable day!
Learn about Albion’s elected representatives and this year’s elections.
