Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy celebrated by Southfield task force through peace walk and youth service awards

Demonstrators descended on Hope United Methodist Church in Southfield on Martin Luther King Jr. Day to honor the legacy of the civil rights’ legend who fought for equality and peace for all Americans, regardless of the color of their skin. 

“It was an opportunity to come together and just keep that hope alive that we can get to the point of a peaceful and sustainable world,” says MLK Peace Walk Chair Dorothy Dean. 

The event included remarks from Southfield Mayor Ken Siver and Police Chief Elvin Baren. There was also a Q&A with the Selma Foot Soldiers, who marched for voting rights for Black Americans in Selma, Alabama, during the Civil Rights Movement in 1965. 

To combat food insecurity, the MLK Task Force also distributed about 125 food boxes to local families earlier this week.

Event organizers highlighted the importance of human rights, nonviolence, and dignity for all, regardless of political affiliation, race, socioeconomic status, religion, or walk of life. Even in disagreement, community members, police, politicians, and other leaders should come together for open, respectful conversation, says Erica Perryman, First Vice President of the MLK Task Force.

“We should try to move forward in a place of understanding, acknowledgment, and love,” she says. 

While the nation has come a long way in ensuring human rights for all since the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s, there still remains much work to be done, says Dean. She pointed to recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids targeting undocumented immigrants and people of color throughout the country, which has led to the violation of people’s due process rights, deportations and, in some cases, police brutality against American citizens and immigrants. 

“We came together in a peaceful way to just show that we need to do better as a nation,” Dean says. “We need to treat each other better. We can’t give up hope.”

Celebrating youth’s community impact

Formed by Southfield’s first female, African American city council member more than 40 years ago, the MLK Task Force exists to honor King’s legacy by promoting social justice, nonviolence, and equality for all.

In the future, the task force plans to hold nonviolence and violence prevention workshops for businesses, organizations, and community members, Perryman says. The Task Force has also held yearly service awards to honor people who are making a difference in their community. 

The Task Force also honored 29 local youth for their community service by holding the MLK Youth Service Awards earlier this month. 

Sherita Watson, Second Vice President of the MLK Task Force, says the youth service awards develop young people’s leadership skills and encourage them to get involved in the community. The task force also holds a youth leadership program that includes a leadership symposium. 

Belleville High School sophomore Eyonna Tredway received the Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Service Award for her commitment to community service and her genuine love for helping others. 

She is the first president of the Top Teens of America Southfield Chapter. She is also involved in her school’s student council, her church’s Young Leaders Life, and Ivylettes, all of which allow her to lead, serve, and uplift others, she says. 

“Leadership and community service are important to me because I believe actions matter more than words. I’ve always had the mindset that it’s not enough to say you care—you have to show it,” Tredway says. “Whether I’m showing up for my team, helping out at my church, or being involved in Top Teens of America, I try to lead by example and be someone others can rely on. Being involved in my community allows me to make a real difference while also pushing myself to be more responsible, committed, and supportive of the people around me.”

After high school, Tredway plans to attend a four-year university, continue playing volleyball, and major in medicine. She hopes to one day make a meaningful impact on her community by becoming an emergency physician.

“As I continue to lead and serve in the community, I hope other teens will join me so that we can be impactful and promote change,” Tredway says.