NEWS

Green Bay MLK event to focus on community unity

Mohammed Bey, Bridgit Martin, Jolanda Sallmann and Kelly McBride Moore
For USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Mohammed Bey

Without a doubt, 2016 was a divisive year. An emotionally charged presidential race left many of us wondering whether the rifts it created could ever be healed.

Fortunately, as it does every 365 days or so, the calendar has given us a chance to start anew. Not to forget the issues that are important to us, but to view with a fresh outlook the positive difference we can make when we come together — starting right in our own backyard.

Jolanda Sallmann

It is with an eye toward healing and creating a better tomorrow that we present the 22nd annual Brown County Community Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. Our theme this year is “Unity in my Community,” an apt and critical ideal that is perhaps more relevant than ever.

Many of you are familiar with our annual program. You’ve attended year after year, taking in the incredible multicultural performances, hearing the heartfelt reflections of community leaders, watching with delight as our poster and creative writing contest winners accept their awards, and reflecting on the powerful recited words of the great civil rights leader himself. You’ve enjoyed our free community meal and maybe even tried your hand (or feet) at African drumming and dancing after our program concludes.

Kelly McBride Moore

This group knows the power of gathering, even for just 90 minutes on an often-cold January Saturday, to experience the power of community. Those returning for this year’s event will enjoy the elements they’ve loved from past programs, plus some great new additions for 2017. As always, we will be thrilled to welcome them back.

But this year, more than ever, we want to extend a hand to those who haven’t joined us in the past. Maybe you’ve hesitated for one reason or another, not sure what to expect or if you’ll feel comfortable. Perhaps you’ve been curious about our event but simply haven’t had or made the time to check it out. Whatever the reason, let this be the year you join us in celebrating the beauty in our differences and the common humanity that unites us.

Bridgit Martin

Our event takes place from 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 14 in the Student Center Commons at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. It is free and open to the public, as is the community meal that follows. We’re pleased to once again welcome WBAY, Channel 2 reporter Jorge Rodas as our program emcee, and are excited to offer a diverse array of entertainers, both new performers and returning favorites. You can find more information about our event at browncomlk.org.

Join us Saturday, Jan. 14. Learn about your neighbor, and share about yourself. Together, we can experience the power of unity in our community.

Mohammed Bey of NWTC, Bridgit Martin of St. Norbert College, Jolanda Sallmann of University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and Kelly McBride Moore of Bellin Health are the Brown County MLK Jr. Celebration Committee co-chairs.