Brit Mott

Gray skies and brisk winds did not deter Plano citizens from celebrating
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday last January. Families, friends, church groups, and a large number of politicians made their way through the historic Douglass Community for the MLK Unity Walk, which traditionally kicks off a week of MLK activities.

View a Slideshow of the Unity Walk

The Unity Walk's new extended route began at the Plano Housing Authority and proceeded to the Plano Municipal Building where Madan Goyal, chair of the Community Art Contest, presented the Art Contest winners. Recording artist Doc Gibbs presented a musical selection, and pastor Robert J. Rice of Northeast Bible Church gave the keynote address. The evening concluded with the Unity Walk awards and closing remarks by Brenda McDonald and Earnest Burke of the MLK Steering Committee.

View a Slideshow of the City Hall Program

The celebration continued on Sunday, January 17 when the Community Mass Choir at First United Methodist Church of Plano performed a concert called “Leadership through Songs.”

Both Collin College and the Plano Independent School District hosted events on Monday, January 18 and Thursday, January 21, respectively. The college held an early morning Leadership Power Breakfast featuring four elected officials from the state, county, city and local school board who spoke on King’s influence. PISD's tribute was called “Free to Lead.” Hundreds of parents and students gathered in the Plano Centre for music, media presentations, and more.

"It is important to stop and celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. because he gave his life for the rights and freedoms we enjoy today," said Burke. "All of the cultures that make up our Plano communities must remember that Dr. King preached loved for one another, and nonviolence for all of us, and we must continue to ensure love, equality and justice for the ages to come."

The spirit of ‘one nation under all’ continues in February for Black History Month. Originating in 1926 by historian Carter G. Woodson, Black History Month marks the birthdays of abolitionist Frederick Douglass and President Abraham Lincoln. The following is a list of significant events that happened this month in Black American history:

February 23, 1868
W.E.B. DuBois, co-founder of the N.A.A.C.P., was born.

February 3, 1870
The 15th Amendment granting blacks the right to vote was passed.

February 25, 1870
Hiram R. Revels, the first black U.S. Senator, took his oath of office.

February 12, 1909
The N.A.A.C.P. was founded.

February 21, 1965
Militant leader Malcolm X was killed.