What is the MLK Legacy Project?
Purpose Statement:
The Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Project is a group of servant leaders committed to advancing
Westerville towards becoming Dr. King's Beloved Community.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Project is a group of servant leaders committed to advancing
Westerville towards becoming Dr. King's Beloved Community.
For quite a while the Westerville MLK Breakfast Committee wanted to reach beyond the confines of a one day a year event to honor the work and legacy of Dr. King. The group discussed the feasibility of a series of conversations in the community which would bring together residents to discuss issues of racial inequality and acceptance of diversity in Westerville. In 2017, this dream came to fruition and a series of Community Conversation programs were scheduled with the goal of using dialogue to bring our town closer to the ideals of Dr. King’s “Beloved Community.” Small groups came together for programs which used books, speakers, and even movies to take a look at our town. We had honest discussions about wrongs, how to correct them and be more open in conversation with each other.
As we moved through this process it became apparent that the name of the committee no longer reflected what we were trying to do in the community. We want to continue to use Dr. King’s name as part of our new mission in Westerville to look at where we have come from, where we are and hopefully where we are going toward “The Beloved Community.” Our request is to have your blessing to use the above title for our project – Leadership Westerville Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Project.
As we moved through this process it became apparent that the name of the committee no longer reflected what we were trying to do in the community. We want to continue to use Dr. King’s name as part of our new mission in Westerville to look at where we have come from, where we are and hopefully where we are going toward “The Beloved Community.” Our request is to have your blessing to use the above title for our project – Leadership Westerville Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Project.
The History of the Westerville Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast
The first Westerville, Ohio breakfast to honor Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was held January 3, 2006 at Heritage Christian Church. The senior pastor of that congregation, Rev. Jim Zippay launched the event. He was joined by Reverend Vaughn Bell of Westerville’s Triumphant Church of God. A community committee representing the city government, schools, Otterbein University, the library, and interested local residents began planning the annual events.
Beginning in 2008, annual awards were presented to adults and youth in the community whose actions represented the ideals of Dr. King. The following year with the assistance of Otterbein University the committee began encouraging residents to provide community service and participate in activities that spread the message of Dr. King. As the breakfast attendance grew and the committee brought speakers from out of state, new community support was sought. Leadership Westerville took the committee under its wing and provided website and social media assistance along with financial guidance.
Through the years the committee brought quality speakers from around the country to present at the breakfast. Eventually speakers were contracted to spend several days in Westerville to provide time for more interactive presentations with Otterbein students and with local residents. Speakers have included: Jefferson Thomas, a member of the Little Rock Nine; Robert Peeples, a World War II Tuskegee Airman, Debbie Irving, author of Waking up White; and Dr. Gayle Fisher-Stewart, pastor of Calvary Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C.
Beginning in 2008, annual awards were presented to adults and youth in the community whose actions represented the ideals of Dr. King. The following year with the assistance of Otterbein University the committee began encouraging residents to provide community service and participate in activities that spread the message of Dr. King. As the breakfast attendance grew and the committee brought speakers from out of state, new community support was sought. Leadership Westerville took the committee under its wing and provided website and social media assistance along with financial guidance.
Through the years the committee brought quality speakers from around the country to present at the breakfast. Eventually speakers were contracted to spend several days in Westerville to provide time for more interactive presentations with Otterbein students and with local residents. Speakers have included: Jefferson Thomas, a member of the Little Rock Nine; Robert Peeples, a World War II Tuskegee Airman, Debbie Irving, author of Waking up White; and Dr. Gayle Fisher-Stewart, pastor of Calvary Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C.