By Louisa Paushter
We began the year of 2018 with an evening that lifted the spirit and inspired hope. On Wednesday, January 10, 2018 the CCHRC honored Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy during its 25th annual celebration event. Choruses of all ages gathered with the community at The Fenn School to lift their voices in celebration of MLK, Jr., singing folksongs, spirituals, and gospel. Our host was CCHS graduate and Abby Fund member, Charisse Gilmer Alouidor. Performing musical selections this year were the Fenn Treble Chorus, the Willard 5th Grade Chorus, the Boston Children’s Chorus, spoken word poet Lisa Lee, and the Joyful Voices of Inspiration Chorus.
In referencing the holiday, the late wife of Dr. Martin Luther King, Coretta Scott King, wrote: “The Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday celebrates the life and legacy of a man who brought hope and healing to America. We commemorate as well the timeless values he taught us through his example — the values of courage, truth, justice, compassion, dignity, humility and service that so radiantly defined Dr. King’s character and empowered his leadership. On this holiday, we commemorate the universal, unconditional love, forgiveness and nonviolence that empowered his revolutionary spirit.” In 2018, let us focus on the values Martin Luther King, Jr. lived by to improve the spirit of our communities and the greater world.