MLK Unity Celebration goes virtual for the second year in a row
The event honored the late, great Martin Luther King Jr. in more ways than one.
TOLEDO, Ohio — On this MLK day, the annual MLK Unity Celebration went virtual for the second year in a row. The event brought the community together with music, dance, impassioned speeches from local officials, as well as a keynote address from film producer and director Andre Gaines.
Gaines covered various topics, including the fallout following the death of George Floyd at the hands of law enforcement in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
“The reaction that the world had to the death of George Floyd was, on the one hand, extremely sad because this man had to lose his life in such a violent and blatantly racist way. And then on the other hand, we have the coming together of the world communities,” said Gaines.
The event featured remarks from Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz and University of Toledo President Gregory Postel, as well as performances from MADD Poets Society, Toledo Opera’s mezzo soprano Olivia Johnson and soprano Ivana Butler, and the Scott High School Choir and University of Toledo F.I.R.E Squad Dance Team.
The event is put on by the City of Toledo Human Relations Commission and was streamed live on the city of Toledo Facebook page.
