Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson hosted a service honoring the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, Jan. 15, in partnership with News 12 The Bronx and Union Grove Missionary Baptist Church, located at 1488 Reverend Dr. Fletcher C. Crawford Way in the Charlotte Gardens section of the borough.

 

“Dr. King dreamed of a better world and fought tirelessly to bring that dream to fruition,” Gibson said. “He was a pioneer whose shoulders we proudly stand on and we are proud to continue his fight for racial equity and justice for all.” Gibson thanked Union Grove Missionary Baptist Church, various guest speakers, her colleagues in government, and everyone else who she said attended the event in celebration of the life and legacy of King.

Former assembly member for the 79^th assembly district and Minister Michael Blake served as master of ceremonies on the day, while Rev. Dr. Stephen A. Green, pastor of St. Lukes A.M.E. Church in Harlem, delivered the keynote address. Rev. Frederick Crawford, senior pastor at Union Grove Missionary Baptist Church, provided closing remarks.

 

Other attendees included Democrats, U.S. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, New York Attorney General Letitia James, Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark, Deputy Bronx Borough President Janet Peguero, State Senator and Bronx Democratic Party Chair Jamaal Bailey (S.D. 36), State Sen. Nathalia Fernandez (S.D. 34) Assembly Member Karina Reyes (A.D. 87), State Sen. Luis Sepúlveda (S.D. 34), City Councilman Kevin Riley (C.D. 12) and Rob Walsh, president of the Bronx Economic Development Corporation.

 

Bailey later wrote on X, formerly Twitter, “Honoring Dr. King’s legacy goes beyond words; it is a call to live by the principles he stood for, and to carry that purpose forward through action. Thank you @bronxbp for bringing us together at @bx_uniongro to reflect on Dr. King’s message of equality, justice, and service.” The theme for this year’s event was “Born for This Day.”

 

Recently elected Republican City Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato (C.D. 13) joined Van Nest Neighborhood Alliance and officers from the 49^th Precinct for a community clean-up. “Dr. King once said in part, ‘Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve.’ Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time. Let’s keep our communities litter free!”

Further north, community groups, Future of Mosholu Parkland and Friends of Pelham Parkway, were also among those who volunteered on the day, cleaning up their local neighborhoods. Elizabeth Quaranta, executive director of FOMP, said of the occasion, “Community matters. Where you reside matters. It affects you, your neighbor, your circumstances, and even your income.”

Democratic Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz also participated in a day of service, joining hundreds of volunteers at the Riverdale Y’s “Rise Against Hunger.” Joining him were, among others, Democratic Congressman Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Democratic State Committeeman Michael Heller, volunteer, Matt Altman, and community mobilizer, Amira Mintz-Morgenthau. They were pictured wearing t-shirts with the word “Official Mensch” printed on the front. A Mensch, in Yiddish, is a person of integrity and honor.

 

Friends of Pelham Parkway later wrote in part of their day of service, “Despite the weather, eight of us collected trash for 2 hours in our Parkway and even alongside the parked cars. Cleaning also protects us, as well as our environment; @greenpollyusa bags used, strong, and made of 100% recycled plastics.” The group added in part, “If we all just committed a little time, our community would be better. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and others committed their whole lives to service. We can commit a few hours.”

 

Since Jan. 19, it was reported that the youngest son of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Dexter King, died of prostate cancer at age 62.

 

Dr. King’s six principles of non-violence were recently cited, as reported, during the First Youth Gun Violence Prevention summit hosted by the Angellyh Yambo Foundation in the South Bronx on Friday, Jan. 19.