Thank you for attending our 34th Annual YWCA Greater Newburyport Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration & Day of Service.
This year’s MLK Commemoration theme – “Standing Strong: Our Beloved Community”- honored Dr. King’s vision of justice, equality, and shared responsibility, and invites us to reflect on how we continue that work together.
We were delighted to welcome Dr. Angel Jones as our keynote speaker. Dr. Jones is a first-generation Afro-Latina educator, scholar, and activist whose work examines the impact of racism on mental health. She is also the author of Street Scholar: Using Public Scholarship to Educate, Advocate, and Liberate (Peter Lang). Check out Dr. Angel Jones on Instagram and you can purchase a copy of her book HERE.
The Commemoration also included the presentation of the Nancy E. Peace “Action Against Prejudice” Award to Reverend Rebecca Bryan (who also read our Benediction), a blessing by Rabbi Alex Matthews, poetry by Rhina P. Espaillat, and a musical performance (and impromptu sing-a-long!) by Christian Cornelio.
Following the Commemoration, attendees were invited to participate in a Day of Service with community partners including Amesbury Racial & Social Justice, Our Neighbor’s Table, and The Salvation Army. Volunteers sorted pallets at the ONT warehouse in Salisbury, assembled care kits for our unhoused neighbors who utilize the Salvation Army Emergency Shelter, and crafted paper friendship quilt squares for a public art installation at our Pond Street childcare facility!
To stream the Commemoration in it’s entirety, click here.
You can learn more about Dr. Angel Jones’ work at her website: www.angeljonesphd.com.
Thank you again to everyone who volunteered, and a HUGE thank you to our presenting sponsor, The Garrison Inn. We are also incredibly grateful to our Equity Partners, the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center, Element Care, and Cutwater Inn and Suites, and thankful to our supporters, the Amesbury Cultural Council and Gallagher Insurance. Thank you for donations from our community partners: Nu Kitchen, Angry Donut, Olive’s Café, Abrahams Bagels, Matt’s Bagels and Phat CatBistro. Thank you as well to the amazing staff at Newburyport City Hall.
To learn more about what went into this, and about the YWCA, check out this Morning Show interview where Mary Jacobsen touched base with us.
We look forward to seeing you all next year!
