UPDATE: Click Here to View the 2018 MLK Day Photos
2018 MLK Day Celebration
Tyler Together Race Relations Forum is proud to sponsor Tyler’s 2018 Community-Wide Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration on Monday January 15, 2018.
Our 2018 Theme: “Make Justice A Reality”
Celebration Plans
Our Celebration is scheduled to begin at the Tyler Downtown Square at 9 a.m. followed by a Parade at 9:30 am down South Broadway to the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception (Broadway and Front St.) At the Cathedral, our formal program will begin at 10 a.m.
Featured Speaker – Frances Cudjoe Waters
Rev. Frances Cudjoe Waters, J.D.
National speaker, writer, minister, mother and strategic transformation consultant.
Rev. Waters is also the mother of three incredible boys and the wife of an amazing husband, James. Check out the video below for a recent conversation she had with her sons.
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Milton Award
Again in 2018, Tyler Together will present the REV JEROME R. MILTON AWARD FOR NON-VIOLENT SOCIAL CHANGE Award winner at our Main Program on Monday, January 15th (10 am) at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception.
The Milton Award recognizes the individual and/or organization that best exemplifies values of non-violent action for social change, as articulated by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., through demonstrated leadership, including contributions of personal time, actions, talents and service, to raise awareness and work toward solutions to inequality, to promote justice, celebrate diversity, and/or prompt non-violent action that contributes to building a better community.
Congratulations to Mustardseed Ministries and Rev. Dr. Karen Jones
Our 2018 REV JEROME R. MILTON AWARD FOR NON-VIOLENT SOCIAL CHANGE Award Winner is Mustardseed Ministries and their Founder, Rev. Dr. Karen Jones.(Click To Learn More)
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE REV. JEROME R. MILTON AWARD
MLK Art Contest
For the fourth year, Tyler Together has invited all Elementary and Middle schools in Tyler Area to participate in our Annual MLK Art Contest. All Art Submissions will be on display at the Tyler Public Library (201 S College Ave, Tyler, TX 75702) from Sunday, January 7th til Sunday, February 4th. Award Winners will be recognized during our Main Program on Monday, January 15th (10 am) at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception.
Congratulations to the 2018 MLK Art Contest Winners:
| Student | School | Art Teacher | |
| Elementary | |||
| 1st | Ana Marie Pina | Rice Elementary | Jamie Williams |
| 2nd | Max Morales | Clarkston Elementary | Sandra Howland |
| 3rd | Gloria Gutierrez | Dixie Elementary | Amanda Dunn |
| Middle School | |||
| 1st | Julia Olivera | Doggan Middle School | Shawna Lynch |
| 2nd | Jonathan Hamilton | Hogg Middle School | Mary Post |
| 3rd | Karisma Hernandez | Hogg Middle School | Mary Post |
Black History Essay Contest
Area Middle Schools and High Schools were invited participate in our Annual Black History Essay Contest. We received over 150 Essay Submissions. Our Essay Award Winners were recognized during the Welcome Reception for the Black History Knowledge Bowl at Texas College ( 2404 N Grand Ave, Tyler TX 75702) on Friday, February 23rd (4:30 pm)
Congratulations our Black History Essay Award Winners
High School Division
| School | Student Name | Grade | Teacher |
| Robert E Lee HS | Lauren Bell | 9 | Alexander |
| Robert E Lee HS | Luke Moncrief | 9 | Havard |
| Robert E Lee HS | Derek Daniels | 9 | Smith |
Middle School Division
| School | Student Name | Grade | Teacher |
| Moore MST MS | Claire Lofghst | 8 | Thorn-Leeson |
| Moore MST MS | Rachel Roberts | 8 | Thorn-Leeson |
| Moore MST MS | Zataevia McAdoo | 8 | McCreary |
Click Here for Essay Contest Guidelines
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Our theme is taken from a section of Dr. King’s Famous “I Have A Dream Speech”.
It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked “insufficient funds.”
But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. So we have come to cash this check — a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice.
We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism.
Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy.
Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice.
Now is the time to lift our nation from the quick sands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood.
Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God’s children.
Click Here to Read The Entire “I Have A Dream” Speech
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Tags: 2018 MLK, Black History Essay Contest, Black History Knowledge Bowl, Cathedral of Immaculate Conception, Community, Downtown Tyler Texas Square, Frances Cudjoe Waters, Joshua Fredenburg, MLK Art Contest, MLK March, Race Relations, Tyler Texas
