Community Corner

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Event in Farmington Hills Features Children's Author

Margaret Mason's book tells the story of efforts to end discrimination at Detroit bakeries.

Margaret Mason, author of These Hands, a children's book that retells the story of civil rights efforts at the Detroit Wonder Bread bakery, will be the keynote speaker for "The Right Time to Do Right: Celebrating Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.", held in Farmington Hills on Monday, Jan. 16.

A former bakery employee, Evege James, will also tell his personal story of working in the bakery during the 1950s and 1960s, a time when black people were not allowed to work on the bakery line.

The event is sponsored by the Multicultural Multiracial Community Council (MCMR), including the Farmington Community Library, , and the cities of  and . 

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The day starts with a 9:30 a.m. walk from , 28000 New Market Rd.(west of ) to the , 32737 W. 12 Mile Rd., with refreshments will be served in the library auditorium.

MCMR co-chair Tanji Grant said before the walk this year, materials will be available for anyone wanting to make a peace-related sign to carry during the walk. Wooden paint sticks have been donated by of Farmington Hills.

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"Last year, a family came to the church with made-up peace signs," Grant said. "The mother approached MCMR and asked if we would consider having peace signs at the next walk." MCMR appreciates those kinds of suggestions, she added. 

The program at the library begins at 10:15 a.m. with a performance by the Choir and welcome from local officials. Mason and James will speak at 10:45 a.m., followed by sharing from the audience and a poetry reading by Ber-Henda Williams at 11:30 a.m.

The day will include a 1 p.m. performance by Matt Watroba and Robert Jones, celebrating diversity and music of the Civil Rights Movement, and a 2 p.m. performance by Dance Company.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., everyone is invited to participate in community service projects, making valentines for seniors in Conference Room A or donating blood at the Blood Mobile in the Main Library parking lot.

The Main Library will also offer children's activities in the lower level during the day and exhibits of African American artists from the Arts League of Michigan, "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.", "African American History" and"Peace" displays from Farmington Public Schools, and a display of artwork by notable African American artist Jacob Lawrence. 

For more information, visit farmlib.org.


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