Cornel West, a political and civil rights activist, will lead the 27th Annual Destructive Love: A Beloved Community Foundation Recommitment Celebration sponsored by the Martin Luther King Jr. Council of Northwest Arkansas on January 14 at the Fayetteville Public Library.

The council’s mission is to “continue to promote and advance the dream, life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that emphasizes love and action.”

That evening, the group also presented fellowships and honored the 2023 Hail to Greatness Award recipients, who are “individuals and organizations in the Northwest Arkansas community who demonstrate excellence in leadership and demonstrate a commitment to social responsibility in the spirit and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther.” King Jr.”

The 2023 Salute to Greatness award winners are:

• Laurie Huff – Dr. John L. Colbert Lifetime Achievement Award;

• Helena Gadison – Ernestine White-Gibson Individual Achievement Award;

• Mike Day – Rodney Momon Youth Award;

• John Newman – Rev. JA Hawkins Posthumous Award; and

• Squire Jehagen Outreach Center – Organization of the Year Award.

Other events in Fayetteville commemorating Martin Luther King Day included a community service project on January 14 at Asbell Elementary School and a memorial service for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on January 15 at St. James Historic Missionary Baptist Church. On January 16, the MLK Dream Keepers hosted a youth breakfast at the Janelle Hembree House of the University of Arkansas and a youth engagement program at the UA HPER building. The MLK Freedom March that day began at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Razorback Road and ended with a midday vigil at UA’s Faulkner Performing Arts Center.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Northwest Arkansas Board Members: Lindsey Leverett-Higgins, President; Kimberly McGee, Vice President; Tanya Cook, secretary; Sara Drin, assistant secretary; Christopher Seawood, Treasurer; and Peggy Boyles, MP. The council also includes Reineld Augustine-Robinson, Vonnis Boone, Carlos Buie, Alkia Cates, John L. Colbert, Sarah Drain, Quinton Green, Adriana Kitchen, Detrick Jenkins, Frank Johnson, Angela Mosley-Monts, Destiny Posey, Cephus Richard III. , T. Scott Varadi and Daniel L. Williams.

More photos from the event — nwadg.com/photos/society.

Columnist Karin Schopmeyer can be contacted at [email protected].

Helena Gadison, Hail to Greatness Award winner (left) and Jill Joseph pose for a photo at the NWA MLK Council’s January 14 recommitment celebration in Fayetteville. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer) Hail to Greatness Award winner Helena Gadison (left) and Jill Joseph pose for photos at the NWA MLK Council’s re-admission celebration on January 14 in Fayetteville. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer) Northwest Arkansas, Martin Luther King Jr. Council President Lindsey Leverett-Higgins (left to right); Peggy Boyles MP; and Kimberly McGee, Vice President, welcome guests to the 27th Annual Recommitment Celebration on January 14 at the Fayetteville Public Library. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer) Frank and Jacqueline Johnson (left), Rachel and Greg Billingsley attend the NWA MLK Council’s January 14 celebration. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer) Margaret Clark (seated) is joined by Tamara Ridout (left) and Regina Henry on Jan. 14 for a renewed engagement celebration. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer) Beth and Kevin McCarter enjoy their January 14th recommitment celebration. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer) Beth and Kevin McCarter enjoy their January 14th recommitment celebration. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/ Karin Schoppmeyer) Brooklyn Owens (left to right), Bryce Owens, Janea and Brian Owens enjoy the recommitment celebration. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer) Tommy McPhethridge and Alice Gachuzo (left to right) and Nicole and Mat Mozzoni attend the Jan. 14 reappointment celebration. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer) Mike and Jamie Sims (left to right) and T. Scott Varadi’s Recommitment Celebration Visit. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer) Cynthia Allen (left to right), Karen Gray and Gail Wilcox attend the Jan. 14 recommitment celebration. (N.W.A. Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer)

At a glance

Celebration of Re-Acceptance

Who: Martin Luther King Jr. Northwest Arkansas Council.

What: Cornel West, a political and civil rights activist, headlined the 27th annual Destructive Love: The Foundation of a Beloved Community.

When: January 14

Where: Fayetteville Public Library.

Information: (479) 409-1139 or [email protected].

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