We have the power to teach his message. We are one race — the human race”

Josiah Brown, Willow Canyon High School Sophomore

By Delarita Ford
Mail | X: @AzNewsmedia

As many gather today honor the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on his birthday they are reminded about his dream of people of all walks of life uniting in the spirit of brotherhood.

“This is one of my favorite events of the year,” said Susan Casper, of local AZ Family channels 3TV/CBS 5, who was the emcee of the eighth annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Celebration & Service on Jan. 13 at The Vista Center for the Arts, 15660 N. Parkview Place in Surprise.

Casper’s third time hosting the event, she remembered when the ceremony was held outside, in front of City Hall, and appreciated the comforts of being inside the entertainment venue for the MLK celebration.

“To see all the families — that is what it’s about,” said Casper, adding the importance of “pouring into the young people.”

Considering youth was a motivating factor behind his drive and push for social justice, she noted.

Attendees heard from featured speakers including the city of Surprise Mayor Skip Hall, a panel discussion consisting of Surprise City Councilmember Nick Haney, Willow Canyon High School Sophomore Josiah Brown, Surprise MLK Advisory Committee Chairperson Cheryl Pete, and Valley View Food Bank Director Jesse Ramirez.

Brown, the student panelist, and elected official Haney, gave their perspectives from a younger generation’s outlook on the impact of King’s dream when asked by Casper, who served as the moderator. While championing youth, Pete offered a traditional answer to Casper’s question on what can be done to continue King’s vision.

“What can we not do? The work must be done,” Pete said of “carrying the vision,” fulfilling what she called the promise of democracy through education, leading to growth, upward mobility and equality.

Brown, however, described the reality of what today’s youths are witnessing in contrast to what King envisioned.

“It’s almost dwindled. We need to reinstate that. It shouldn’t be dismembered over time,” said Brown, stressing the importance of teaching King’s values and beliefs to children. “We have the power to teach his message. We are one race — the human race.”

Adding how children and future generations will be influenced by other people, Brown stated the need to ensure youths are growing up to be the best contributors to society.

Mariah Marsett, of Surprise, attends the eighth annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Celebration & Service with her daughter, Masada Gak, 4. on Jan. 13 at The Vista Center for the Arts.

Likewise, Haney told the audience while some families may teach their children to love and treat others kindly, other families’ children are “being taught to hate.”

He commended generations before him who had the courage to stand up and pursue change, which he said gave him examples of what leadership and service required.

“I really try to apply his principals of servant leadership. It’s not about the next election. It’s about the next generation. I try to bring those same principals,” Haney said. “Leadership service is not a title, it’s an action.”

“This is a great event. I think of myself as a servant leader,” said Surprise Councilmember Aly Cline, who volunteers more than 2,000 hours since retiring from the regular workforce.

She encouraged people to give of their time, even if it is just an hour to help others in the community.

“I am a true believer in giving. It’s part of my belief in servant leadership,” Cline said.

Hall said Surprise is a community of collaboration and service.

“I hope our city becomes a model for others,” said Hall, adding how collaboration and serving the needs of others in the community is “how Dr King’s legacy will live on and prevail.”

Walmart workers were among hundreds of people who volunteered for community service projects early in the morning before the MLK program hosted by the city of Surprise Human Service Community Vitality Department. Many collected and packed canned goods, feminine hygiene products and more to help those in need.

According to Valley Food Bank Director Ramirez, over 15,000 pounds of food was collected to help more than 4,000 local families.

“We all as a people should love each other, love your neighbor and love and give grace to people in need,” Ramirez said.

“I participate in MLK events every year,” said Chris Travis, a Walmart human resources/community relations worker, who recently relocated from Chicago to Surprise. “We all came together!”

Selah Mitchell, a Praise Dancer who performed in the city’s program, said she enjoys helping people less fortunate.

“The Bible says to help the widows and the children,” Mitchell added.

“Because of the movement Martin Luther King headed up, because he wasn’t out there by himself, because of this, we have the freedoms that we have,” said Vivian Evans of Surprise.

New to the area, she heard about the event and attended with her youngest daughter, Monique Evans, and grandson, Cullen Bader, 11.

They painted inspirational messages on buttons for one of the service projects facilitated by a WHAM art director, Kamron Horton.

Surprise is one of many locations throughout the Valley to hold MLK celebrations.

“Today’s event, they are happening across different cities and different states,” Haney said of the unifying acts of service.

Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration in Phoenix attracted thousands as Darnell Hill (on left of stage) was the master of ceremonies for the event featuring lots of performances, vendors, and more.

Delarita Ford
Lead Reporter | Surprise

dford@iniusa.org

Meet Delarita
Delarita Ford originally joined Independent Newspapers Incorporated, now Independent Newsmedia, Inc. USA in 1997, as a general assignment reporter for the Delaware State News daily paper after starting her journalism career in Maryland in 1994, where she honed her skills by writing obituaries, covering community news from births to deaths, education to legislation and more. As a reporter, she has had the opportunity to cover sitting and former U.S. presidential visits in Baltimore, Delaware, and Arizona.

Community: One of the few seasoned journalists who still enjoys covering community events, she can be found with a reporter’s pad taking notes, her phone taking pictures while capturing life’s moments to memorialize them in print for the local newspapers and for the active-adult community where she lives. She maintains a presence with the Black media and the National Association of Black Journalists to encourage peers, socialize, and mentor younger writers.

Education: Life learner who learns from life. Aside from the collegiate education received, she got the best training from on-the-job experience with former editors who went through copy with a red pen and demanded the best writing for hard news and feature stories. 

Random Fact: While a Delaware State News reporter, she could call then Sen. Joe Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, usually late at night if a quote or input was needed for varying topics, including legislation and education.

Hobbies: Adopt rescue dogs and give them a nice home. Continuously read and critique news stories from various platforms.