Area businesses provided donations totaling $155,000 to the Greater Lansing Area Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Commission, Friday, Jan. 12, to support the Commission’s work in promoting equality, diversity and social justice.
Elaine Hardy, Commission chair, said, “This sponsor kick-off for the MLK Day holiday gives us a chance to recognize the companies that not only provide financial support to the Commission, but believe in our work to make our community the best it can be for everyone.
Cinnaire, $50,000; MacDonald Broadcasting, $50,000 in-kind support; Jackson National Life Insurance Company, $15,000; Dean Trailways, $10,000 in-kind support; Michigan State University Federal Credit Union, $10,000; AT&T, $10,000; and LAFCU, $10,000 for its diversity sponsorship.
The Commission works to support equality, diversity and social justice, focusing on the area’s pressing needs of literacy, youth violence, hunger, mentoring, education and community enrichment. It supports a number of community service agencies and promotes youth initiatives, such as college scholarships, awards for middle school essay contests, and the annual 8-day Y-Achievers Cultural Immersion Transportation Study & College Tour for high school students.
The MLK Commission hosts the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Luncheon in tribute to the inspiring civil rights leader. The 2018 event was Monday, Jan. 15, at the Lansing Center. It featured Dr. Diane Nash, a pioneer of the nonviolent American civil rights movement, as the keynote speaker.
The Commission is a non-profit, appointed-body comprised of volunteer representatives.
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Photos 1-2 – Scenes from the East Lansing, MI, event Friday January 12, 2018Photo 3 – Surrounded by commissioners for the Greater Lansing Area Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Commission, Kelli Ellsworth Etchison with LAFCU presents a ceremonial check to the mayors of East Lansing, Mark Meadows, center, and Lansing, Andy Schor. Both cities are Commission partners.
Photo 4 – Danielle Robinson from Jackson National Life, center, presents a ceremonial check to the Commission. Also holding the check are Mark Meadows, East Lansing mayor, left, and Andy Schor, Lansing mayor. The cities of East Lansing and Lansing are Commission partners.
Photo 5 – Mark McDaniel with Cinnaire, center, presents a ceremonial check to the Commission. Also holding the check are Mark Meadows, East Lansing mayor, left, and Andy Schor, Lansing mayor. The cities of East Lansing and Lansing are Commission partners.
Photo 6 – The commissioners of the Greater Lansing Area Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Commission are dedicated to preserving the legacy and teachings of Dr. King, supporting community agencies, and empowering youth to achieve educational goals.
