Hundreds Gather for MLK Event at DECC

DULUTH, Minn. –“Leading Onward “was the theme for this year’s Martin Luther King Jr. program in Duluth.

Hundreds of people of many different backgrounds and nationalities gathered at the DECC, to hear, learn, and get motivated to continue the work that began in earnest seven decades ago.

Kim Green says she comes each year so that her children and grandchildren understand what this day represents. She also spoke about what people of color are experiencing in Duluth.

“There’s a lot of struggles here,” said Green. “A lot of people still consider this place a sundown town. I don’t know if anyone’s aware of what this means, but here in 2024 there’s a lot of work we still need to address and hopefully, we can do more, and we can do better and we will do better in this community,” said Green.

Kristin Paichen and her husband brought their two young children to the event. “It’s something we talk about at home, we have some books about it, so we talk about it. The more we expose them to that, it becomes more ingrained in the knowledge base and then the more they can spread that message to other kids,” said Paichen.

Among the speakers were five high school students who had traveled to the south this past October. When in the southern states they learned about historically black colleges and talked with people who were making a difference in their communities.

“I learned how important it is to be part of the government when it comes to making changes for the black community,” said Nuami Marciniak. “Because education and government are the things that are most necessary for change.”

The thoughts of many in attendance were echoed in the statement made by Kim Green. “I definitely know we need to do more. This is something that needs to be not only this holiday, but the work needs to be continued throughout the year in this community,” said Green.