On Monday, Jan. 18, the commission hosted its 23rd annual Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. beginning at the Ebenezer Baptist Church, 475 Cranston St. The official State holiday commemoration, which was open to the public, included remarks by state, federal and religious leaders, the keynote Address presented by Supreme Court Chief Justice Frank J. Williams (Retired) and a number of musical presentations. Rep. Joseph S. Almeida (D-Dist. 12, Providence), chairman of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. State Holiday Commission, served as master of ceremonies. Commission member Deacon George Garedo offered the official celebration welcome. Former senator J. Clement Cicilline, member and past chairman of the holiday commission recognized elected officials, with the invocation and benediction given by the Rev. Dr. Carl Balark, pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church and a commission member as well.
The event featured musical performances by the Ebenezer Baptist Church Choir, Oneitia Price-Hall of the Lincoln Seventh Day Adventist Church and the Community Baptist Church of Newport Mens Chorus, directed by Nathaniel Crumby and Refreshments. The program also included awards for community members who have made outstanding contributions toward making Dr. Kings vision a reality. Reverend Raymond Malm, Pastor of St. Josephs Church in Newport; and Ms. Deborah Smith, Director of the Governors Office on Municipal and External Affairs; both received the Living the Dream award. Ms. Amanda Frye-Lenos, Executive Director of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Center in Newport received the Community Service award. Commission members Frank Walker and Jo Eva Gains presented the awards. The annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration is one of several major events conducted under the auspices of the State Holiday Commission, which was formed to commemorate the day and also to promote educational efforts throughout the year.
In addition to the celebration on Monday, the commission hosted free workshops for youth on at Ebenezer Baptist Church. The workshops were open to all youth who wanted to attend. The four workshops included: Youth Empowerment, facilitated by Guy Salesman of the Department of Human Services; and Community Leadership facilitated by Deacon John Strodder, general manager of United Housing Management, LLC; Non-Violence, facilitated by Dr. Marion Orr of Ebenezer Baptist Church and Brown University; and Economics, facilitated by Rev. Matthew Kai of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Providence. The program included lunch, a musical performance by Music One and remarks by Representative Almeida and former representative Maxine L. Shavers, the commission vice chairwoman. Voter registration was available during the workshops.