On Monday, January 16, 2023, the city held its 35th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration. The annual celebration began at 4 p.m. at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Park and Community Center, 2300 Greene Street.
The keynote speaker was Columbia native and NBA Hall of Famer, Alex English. Ceremony remarks from Mayor Daniel Rickenmann, Councilman Edward McDowell, Jr. (District 2), and City Manager Teresa Wilson. Council members Aditi Bussells (At-Large), Howard Duvall (At-Large), and Will Brennan (District 3) were also in attendance. Hundreds of people gathered to commemorate the life and legacy of the late civil rights leader and recognized those who are committed to serving others.
Scholarship winners were announced by Assistant City Manager, Henry Simons. He also announced the winners of the Honor the Dream Food Drive. Several nominations were received for the Dream Keeper Scholarships Program, which recognizes exemplary displays of voluntary service and academic achievement.
The winners of the Dream Keeper Scholarships were:
- $100 Tyler Jackson, (Center for Knowledge)
- $250 Benjamin Brown, (Dreher High School)
- $500 Aniyah J. Hodges, (W.J. Keenan High School)
- $1000 Cyndal Dibble, (Swansea High School)
The sponsors for this year’s program were:
- Alpha Psi Lambda Chapter & Omicron Iota Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
- The Josiah Caden Jenkins Memorial Scholarship. Chief Aubrey D. Jenkins established the scholarship in memory of his great-nephew Josiah Caden Jenkins
- 100 Black Men of Greater Columbia Inc.
- Cromartie Law Firm, LLC
- City Manager Teresa Wilson
- Assistant City Manager Henry Simons
- Director Randy Davis, Parks and Recreation, City of Columbia
- Chief William H. “Skip” Holbrook Columbia Police Department