Sarasota's community celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day

By Ian Swaby
| 2:45 p.m. January 19, 2026

Sarasota MLK Celebration Committee Chair Jetson Grimes, awardees Joseph Mack, Susan Imperato, Valerie Buchand, Meadow Lark Walker, Monica Donley and David Morse, and former mayor Willie Shaw, gather on stage.

Sarasota
Neighbors

The theme of this year's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast was "Mission Possible II: Building Community, Uniting a Nation the Non-Violent Way."

As honorees took to the stage, they attested to the idea that work in the community was already revealing possibilities.

Monica Donley, the founder of Sisters Sowing Seeds, which provides mentoring and services to girls and women, said that staff members welcome girls who have little confidence before the organization pours its resources into them and a seed begins to grow.

"Dr. King taught us that real change does not come through force, but through faith, discipline, love and action," she said.

The breakfast, held at Robert L. Taylor Community Complex, preceded the Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Walk through Newtown, as well as the Dr. MLK Medical/Wellness Fair and Dr. MLK Park Festival, also held at the complex.

It honored Donley and Joseph Mack, for community service; Meadow Lark Walker and David Morse for healthcare; Susan Imperato for education; and Valerie Buchand with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Buchand has held numerous roles with the city of Sarasota and community organizations, and has served on boards including Sarasota Housing Authority, Nuisance Abatement and Women on Status.

She said she was honored to be recognized for her work, which she said was part of a continuing struggle.

"We often serve Dr. Martin Luther King, however, throughout the year, we must continue to understand that he was for the downcast, those that didn't know how to get justice, those that that just bowed their heads and endured the pain, but I'm so glad today that God is raising up somebody that will stand for the voiceless, that will stand for those that are afraid, and I'm just glad that I'm one of them," she said.

John Walker, Jr. performs alongside Johnny Barker.

Jammal Marcano and Gustavo Ramos prepare to enjoy breakfast.

Lenora Hammonds, artist in residence with Saraota Performing Arts Foundation, performs alongside Johnny Barker.

Bel Feltner greets Monica Donley, the founder of Sisters Sowing Seeds, who was honored for community service.

Meadow Lark Walker, who has worked with different community and faith agencies, was honored for her work in healthcare.

Bel Feltner greets David Morse, president of Sarasota Prostate Initiative and Men to Men, who was honoerd for his work in healthcare.

Joseph Mack, chairman of Newtown CHAT, was honored for community service.

Sarasota MLK Celebration Committee chair Jetson Grimes; former mayor Willie Shaw; Mistress of Ceremonies Jessika Ward; Susan Imperato, the GED teacher and coordinator at the Newtown campus of Suncoast Technical College who was honored for her work in education; and commitee member Bel Feltner, gather on stage.

Mistress of Ceremonies Jessika Ward addresses attendees.

Valerie Buchand, the current president of Newtown Nation, Inc. was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for her work in many roles with the City of Sarasota, and with many community organizations.

After the plant at each table was offered to the oldest guest last year, this year, they were offered to the youngest. Mary Burton, an advocate for Sarasota Medical Pregnancy Center's mobile unit, claims her plant.

Minister Anthony Davis, Sr., of New Bethel M.B. Church, offers the benediction.

Cheerleaders from Booker High School make their way along the parade route.

The parade approaches Martin Luther King Jr. Way.

Damaris Young, 4, accompanies her father Jared Young and sister Talia Young, 6.

Amanda Just, Melissa Bartalos, Pamela Wusthof and Chris Kilmer of the Democratic Womens Club of Sarasota walk in the parade.

The parade approaches Booker High School.

Students from Booker High School's basketball team make their way along the parade route.

Margaret Bryan, Susie Murray and Liz Barber of the League of Women Voters walk in the parade.

Sharon Sorey and her kids Clarence Johnson, 8, and Claire Johnson, 7, watch the parade. Sorey's daughter Markajah Jackson is in Booker High School's JROTC program.

Students from Booker High School's marching band make their way along the parade route.

Students from Booker High School's JROTC program make their way along the parade route.

Participants including Christine Evans and Rozie Zeck (front) make their way along the parade route.

S.E. Sanders, Mayor Debbie Trice and Ronnique Hawkins

author

Ian Swaby

Ian Swaby is the Sarasota neighbors writer for the Observer. Ian is a Florida State University graduate of Editing, Writing, and Media and previously worked in the publishing industry in the Cayman Islands.