- July 26, 2024
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AJ Sanders participates in the Unity and Historical march with a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. flag that reads "I HAVE A DREAM"
The Light of the World Men's Ensemble performs at Temple Emanu-El in anticipation of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Photo by Dariela DelgadoRabbi Michael Shefrin gives a blessing to the audience.
Photo by Dariela DelgadoTemple Emanu-El hosted its seventh annual interfaith tribute to Dr. King in anticipation of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Photo by Dariela DelgadoThe Sarasota MLK Celebration Committee hosted its 2023 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast and Community Awards at the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex.
Photo by Dariela DelgadoCity Manager Marlon Brown and Mayor Kyle Battie speak at the 2023 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast and Community Awards.
Photo by Dariela DelgadoThe 2023 award recipients gather together for a group picture.
Photo by Dariela DelgadoBooker High School cheer team preps for the start of the march.
Photo by Dariela DelgadoChief of Police Rex Troche and Booker High School's girls basketball team gathers together for a pre-march picture.
Photo by Dariela DelgadoBooker High School's JROTC leads the Unity and Historical march.
Photo by Dariela DelgadoCherlottia Argrett and Donna Brown march on Martin Luther King Jr Way
Photo by Dariela DelgadoBooker High School's Marching Band plays various rhythms as they march to Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park.
Photo by Dariela DelgadoBooker High School Boys Basketball coaches Stone Hollaway and Ron Jones.
Photo by Dariela DelgadoZionna Gamble hands out candy to Newtown neighbors and families.
Photo by Dariela DelgadoThe Unity and Historical march starts at Robert L. Taylor Community Center and ends at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park.
Photo by Dariela DelgadoLou Grossman wears his eracism shirt as he marches on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Way.
Photo by Dariela DelgadoMany students and families participate in the Unity and Historical march
Photo by Dariela DelgadoBooker High School Principal Rachel Shelley and City Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch participate in the Unity and Historical march.
Photo by Dariela DelgadoVelvet Sumpter and Norrece Wright arrive at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park
Photo by Dariela DelgadoJames Williams provides free transportation for the marchers on the Bay Runner.
Photo by Dariela DelgadoSarasota began its commemoration for Martin Luther King Jr. on Sunday, Jan. 15 at Temple Emanu-El and continued on Monday, Jan. 16 at Robert L. Taylor Community Center.
The temple hosted its seventh interfaith tribute to King after missing 2021 and 2022 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This event featured performances by Soul Sensations, Light of the World Men’s Ensemble and local clergyman Rev. Charles McKenzie reciting the words of King’s speeches and writings.
“Today we take our place once again in the important history in the Jewish and Black communities coming together as we have for generations,” Rabbi Michael Shefrin said. “I pray that it never stops.”
The Sarasota MLK Celebration Committee hosted its 2023 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast and Community Awards on Monday at the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex.
“The Committee is always excited to celebrate Dr. King’s life and legacy with the Sarasota community,” Sarasota MLK Celebration Committee President Jetson Grimes said. “Each year, we pay homage to his dream when we gather together in honor of his great works and recognize the achievements accomplished by people and businesses in our community.”
Sandra Kay Daniels, a teacher at Booker Middle; Gregory Rumph, an assistant principal at Booker High; Rex Troche, Sarasota's chief of police, James Hill and Renee Gilmore of ABC-7 and Jaida Cunningham, a senior student at Riverview High, were honored during the breakfast.
The Unity and Historical walk to Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park was led by Booker High School's JROTC. The march followed after the Memorial Breakfast and Community Awards ceremony.
Booker High’s cheerleaders followed behind along with the school’s marching band and Second Chance Last Opportunity.
“This is important because Martin Luther King Jr. has made an impact for all. I’m honored for what he did and accomplished,” said Sarasota High School student Zionna Gamble who passed out candy during the march.
Newtown neighbors watched and cheered the marchers from their front porches.
“I was 7 years old when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was shot and killed. I can remember when my mother and grandmother watching television – we had a black and white box television – they had all the kids sit down and listen as we watched live,” said marcher Velvet Sumpter. “To watch that on television happen and then to see the marches my mother always had on television--it's always been a part of our history, what we overcome and what we are still dealing with. It’s not over. We are still fighting. We are still marching. We are still asking for equality.”