St. Mark A.M.E. Church’s 30th Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration on Sunday, January 15th includes an exhibit of 48 historic photos from the 1968 March on Washington taken by Look Magazine photographer Stanley Tretick. The exhibit, entitled “And Freedom For All” will be on display at St. Mark, 1616 W. Atkinson Ave. from 9a-5p. Jan. 16- 20. The exhibit is free to the public.
Prior to opening the exhibit St. Mark will hold a service and program at the church (beginning at 11a) honoring individuals and organizations that exemplify this year’s theme: “Called to Make a Difference.” Those being honored have shown courage to act and persevere as they sought solutions to inequities. The honorees are:
- Dextra A. Hadnot, Government Affairs Director for AT&T, who will receive the Corporate Leadership Award in recognition of his in-house advocacy that has helped AT&T’s employment and business vendor efforts and its community involvement reflect the diversity of Milwaukee ’s population.
- Municipal Judge Valerie Hill, who will receive the Programs for Children Award in recognition of her innovative approach to helping young people who appear in court get their lives back on track by connecting the youth to effective programs (such as the Social Development Commission’s Youth and Family Development Program) rather than incarcerating them.
- Mavis McCallum, retired Deputy Superintendent at the Milwaukee County Detention Center and long time volunteer for programs that help youth, will receive the Legacy Award, which is given to a St. Mark member who has helped improve the quality of life in Milwaukee ’s African American community. One of her major involvements has been volunteering her time, and raising money for New Concept Self Development Center —a comprehensive human services agency founded to meet the needs of families.
- Gaulien Smith, owner of Gee’s Clippers & Hair Design, who will receive the Peace/ Nonviolence Award in recognition of the positive example he provides urban youth by the way he conducts his business and his life, his volunteer work at city schools and community centers, his efforts to create jobs by promoting Black business development, and his involvement in resurrecting African World Festival.
- Velvon Summers, a retired AT&T employee who now serves as the YMCA Black Achiever Program Manager, will receive the Innovation for Change Award in recognition of his long-term commitment to ensuring Black Achievers remains an effective college readiness initiative that helps “…teens of color set and pursue high educational and career goals.”
- Wallace White, business owner, Chair of the African American Chamber of Commerce, and former Chair of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Sewerage District (MMSD), who will receive the Social Action Award in recognition of his successful advocacy for getting MMSD to do businesst with historically underutilized businesses, and his tireless efforts to increase and strengthen Milwaukee’s African American business sector.
