Despite a frosty MLK Day in Detroit, the corridors of Martin Luther King Jr. High School were abuzz, a stark contrast to the biting cold outside. This day was more than a battle against the winter chill; it was a vibrant testament to the legacy of Dr. King, right here in our beloved Detroit Public Schools Community District.
At King High, the 15th annual Legacy March program took on a new form, showcasing the resilience and adaptability of our community. With bitter cold temperatures, the usual outdoor march was shelved, but the spirit of the day remained undimmed. Instead, the halls were alive with music, the rhythms of song and dance, and the dynamic energy of the school band, creating an electric atmosphere that warmed every heart in attendance.
“This program was founded by our former principal, Dr. Debra Jenkins as a way to commemorate the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” shared Damien Perry, the principal of King High School. “Highlighting all of the great things that he’s done. Every year we’ve attempted to emulate the national program.” 
This event wasn’t just a school gathering; it was a microcosm of Detroit. Elected officials, community activists, members of Black Greek organizations, Detroit Masons, Eastern Stars, and the students themselves came together, each person a living embodiment of Dr. King’s enduring dream. Their presence and participation made a powerful statement about our community’s commitment to keeping Dr. King’s legacy vibrant and relevant.
Speakers took to the podium to emphasize the critical role of community service in upholding and advancing the principles of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Among these voices was Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, who underscored the importance of voting as a fundamental means of serving the community. She particularly highlighted its significance in Michigan, and more specifically in Detroit, a city with the highest population of Black people in the nation.
“King’s work in the sixties was really focused on assuring everyone has access to the power of the vote,” shared Benson. “The Voting Rights Act was the cornerstone of the movement that he and so many others fought for, so we want to honor that by continuing to expand voting rights here in Michigan…we’re now able to implement at least nine days of early voting in every community in this state for this year. You don’t just have to vote on election day anymore, you can vote any time, any day nine days prior to the election.” Secretary Benson’s message resonated deeply, as she connected the act of voting with the broader struggle for civil rights and social justice. By casting a ballot, Detroiters not only exercise their hard-won rights but also shape the future of their community and continue the legacy of those who fought for this essential democratic privilege. Her words served as a powerful reminder of how each vote contributes to the ongoing quest for equality and representation, echoing the very ideals Dr. King championed.
The absence of the traditional outdoor march was keenly felt due to the biting cold. However, the spirit of celebration and remembrance was far from diminished. Instead, the hallways and spaces of King High School transformed into a vibrant stage, where the choir, dance team, and poetry students brought Dr. King’s legacy to life in a different, yet equally impactful, way.
The choir’s melodies reverberated through the halls, each song a tribute to Dr. King’s dream, their harmonious voices a testament to the unity and solidarity he envisioned. The dance team’s performance, full of energy and passion, told stories of resilience and hope, echoing the civil rights movement’s journey. The poetry students, with their powerful words, reminded everyone present of Dr. King’s eloquent speeches, drawing parallels between the struggles of the past and the challenges still faced today.
Though the community initially gathered in anticipation of the annual march, they quickly adapted, embracing the opportunity to celebrate within the walls of King High School. This adaptability and resilience reflected the very essence of what Dr. King stood for. The performances by the students weren’t just acts of entertainment; they were profound expressions of the ongoing struggle for justice and equality. In this way, King High School’s 15th annual Legacy March wasn’t just a commemorative event; it was a reaffirmation of the community’s commitment to continue Dr. King’s work, proving that even without the march, his legacy marches on in the hearts and actions of the students and community members alike.
The 15th annual Legacy March at King High School, themed “Transforming the Dream,” served as a poignant reminder of the enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., from alumni to current students, and from dedicated faculty to hopeful parents. “The idea is how does a dream translate and reflect in 2024, how does it reflect in you and me and how it reflects in our community,” said Perry. Alumni, returning to the halls that once shaped their own dreams, stood as living testaments to the school’s rich legacy of empowerment and social justice. Current students, energized by the performances and speeches, were reminded of the torch they now carry – a torch that lights the path towards a future where equality and justice are not just ideals, but tangible realities. For parents and faculty, the event reinforced their pivotal roles in nurturing and guiding these young minds, helping to shape a generation that is not only aware of their history but also committed to shaping a better world. “Transforming the Dream” thus transcended being a mere theme; it encapsulated a collective commitment of the King High community, past, present, and future, to uphold and advance the values that Dr. King so passionately fought for.
“Every Dr. King Day we will be here as we recognize such an amazing person,” said Angelique Peterson-Mayberry, DPSCD President. “As a King alumni, I know that what matters today is that we are all in this space; together. And this is part of the dream being more realized than we realize because as we continue to progress in a space, we all commit to making sure that we will not sit in spaces where we don’t have voice and we don’t have presence – instead we take up space and we fill it with our deep knowing that we are powerful.”
Both Peterson-Mayberry and Perry exemplify the profound impact that alumni can have when they embody the ideals they were taught. As former students of King High, they serve as a living testament to the school’s ability to mold leaders in the mold of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. himself. Their journey from students in the same hallways to Detroit Public Schools leaders is a powerful reflection of the values instilled in them during their formative years at King High, illustrating how the legacy of Dr. King can be actualized in the lives of those who walk in his footsteps.
In a nation where nearly 116 schools bear the name of Martin Luther King Jr., each serves as a crucial reminder of his fight for justice and equality. Yet, Detroit’s King High holds a unique place in this narrative. Situated in the heart of DPSCD, it’s more than a namesake. It’s a hub of community activism, a place where Dr. King’s ideals are not only remembered but actively pursued. The decision to adapt the MLK Day march into an indoor celebration speaks volumes about our community’s determination to honor this day, regardless of external challenges.
The role of a school like King High in upholding the name of a civil rights icon like Martin Luther King Jr. is significant. It’s not just about honoring history; it’s a daily commitment to embody the principles he stood for. Here, students are taught not just academic subjects but the value of dreaming big, standing for justice, and being changemakers in their communities. In essence, King High doesn’t just teach history; it inspires a new generation to make history.
The message from King High on this MLK Day was clear and strong: this is not a day off, but a day on. A day to engage, serve, and carry forward the work that Dr. King started. Despite the cold weather, nothing could quell the fiery commitment within King High School to keep Dr. King’s dream alive and thriving. As for King High Schools principal Perry, his goal goes further beyond a day, “When it is time to move onto the next chapter, I want our kids to take the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King out of this building and into every city our students may live in as post-graduates of King High School. I want them to take that legacy, idea and dream and live it throughout those communities representing what it truly means to be a Crusader and to truly represent Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”
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