(SOUTHFIELD, Mich.) – The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Taskforce, Inc. will sponsor a Leadership Workshop for sixth, seventh and eighth grade students from MacArthur K-8 University Academy in Southfield on Wednesday, May 21, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., at the Carlyle Fielding Stewart Family Life Center, 26275 Northwestern Highway.
The workshop will feature breakout sessions on leadership, conflict resolution and money management. The youth will also have a panel discussion on leadership led by four of their peers who will impersonate elected officials Southfield Mayor Brenda Lawrence and U.S. Senators Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John McCain. The other students will be given the opportunity to ask questions about leadership.
“It is not enough just to talk about Dr. King’s philosophy and to recognize the depth of his vision,” commented Dr. MLK Taskforce President Barbara Seldon. “We must put into action his beliefs of peace, equality and social and economic justice. What better way to insure the dream than to pass it on to our children.”
The leadership program is part of the Dr. Martin Luther King Taskforce‘s ongoing Youth Education Program that strives to empower youth to achieve their highest potential and co-exist in a global, pluralistic and diverse society as was demonstrated by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The after-school leadership program, which began in November of 2007, will conclude for the school year with the workshop.
The MLK Education Program is sponsored by Comerica Bank, Target, Wal-Mart, Safeway Transportation and Detroit West District Peace Center.
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Southfield was the first city in the state of Michigan to hold a Dr. King peace walk or march. The first Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace Walk took place on January 20, 1986, commemorating the first national observance of Dr. King=s birthday. The walk continues to grow in size and scope each year, with year-long educational and community outreach activities.