21st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. event held at Glenn Massay for first time

PALMER — The 21st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. event was held at the Glenn Massay Theater for the first time during the 2023 Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Mat-Su Martin Luther King Jr Foundation President Andre Jackson said they've hosted this event at various locations over the years. He said this event has continued to grow over the years, and the Massay effectively suited their needs so they plan to return to the venue next year.

"I think it was very beneficial for what we had. It's a stage that can allow us to be very versatile and put on an event that the public can enjoy," Jackson said.

The Mat-Su Martin Luther King Jr Foundation hosts this event every year, inviting various speakers, musicians, students, and other groups from across the community to participate.

In addition to speaker presentations and live performances, this year's event also featured a variety of booths representing various local non-profit organizations and community groups.

Bright Lights Books Project coordinator Alys Culhane said they gave out a large amount of used books during the event. She said they offered a special selection of titles that were specifically catered to this event, featuring numerous stories about African American heroes.

"I think this was awesome," Culhane said. "It shows there's a strong community here that is ready to support efforts that help other people."

The theme for this year's event was "Together, we Can be the Dream, drawing inspiration from MLK's famous I Have a Dream speech and his prevailing ideals for a truly united world free of racism and prejudice.

Jackson said the 2023 program ran longer than past events due to the increased scale. He said they make changes to the event each year utilizing different sources across the Valley.

"We try to pull from different aspects of the community so it's not stale and boring," Jackson said.

The main focus of this event is to provide educational opportunities and raise awareness for MLK's dream. Jackson said it's designed to encourage positive action and problem solving throughout the year.

"We try to keep it alive, not just a one time thing a year," Jackson said.

Jackson said that systemic racism and prejudice still exists. He said the best way to solve this problem is to stay true to MLK's philosophy of driving out hate with love.

"If you see something, say something. People are starting to do that," Jackson said.

The Mat-Su Martin Luther King Jr. Foundation typically meets once a month, according to Jackson. He said their next big event will coincide with Juneteenth, featuring live music, vendor booths, exhibits, and a miniature health fair. He said they're still determining the official date and location, and the event will be held outdoors.

For more information about the Mat-Su Martin Luther King Jr. Foundation, visit the official Facebook page or email matsumlkjr@gmail.com.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com