Friday, January 17th, 2025, the MBN team visited the offices of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Avenue, Lansing.
Watch Elaine, and all the guests for that day share remarks in the overall event where The MLK Commission of Mid-Michigan kicked off its 2025 celebration with $182,500 in donations, supporting equality, justice, and community impact in the YouTube Video shared below:
The gathering was the annual event by the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Mid-Michigan, where they celebrate receiving donations for support of aspects of the annual Day of Celebration luncheon, held on the Monday observation of the federal holiday for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
This gathering was to kick off the 2025 MLK Day of Celebration activities,. Overall eight local businesses donated $182,500 to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Mid-Michigan Friday, Jan. 17 to support the commission’s work to promote equality, diversity and social justice.
Several Michigan Business Network partners support these efforts. They include Cinnaire, LAFCU, and Dean Transportation.
For this video from the overall event you will see excerpts including a welcome and program emceeing by Elaine Hardy, chair, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Mid-Michigan, along with Deborah V. Toby
Chief Human Resources Officer & Chief Diversity Officer of Cinnaire who filled in for their President and CEO Mark McDaniel. Finally remarks by Kelli Ellsworth Etchison, Chief Marketing Officer, and Chief Diversity Officer, LAFCU.
Others gathered on the day, East Lansing City Manager Robert Belleman, Commissioners of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Mid-Michigan, and other representatives from donor organizations:
Donations for 2025 were:
§ Cinnaire – $50,000
§ MacDonald Broadcasting – $50,000
§ Jackson – $20,000
§ Michigan State University Federal Credit Union – $15,000
§ LAFCU – $15,000
§ Lake Trust Credit Union – $12,500
§ CASE Credit Union – $10,000
§ Dean Transportation – $10,000
About the 2025 Day of Celebration
The MLK Commission of Mid-Michigan hosts the nation’s largest MLK luncheon event each year in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Among other festivities, this year’s event will feature Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II joining keynote speaker Dr. Bernard LaFayette Jr. for a fireside conversation.
About the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Mid-Michigan
Dedicated to advancing the principles and ideals of Dr. King, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Mid-Michigan is the nation’s longest-running, continuously operating MLK commission. For four decades, it has been at the forefront of advancing Dr. King’s principles of equality, justice, and nonviolence. The Commission’s annual Day of Celebration is the nation’s largest MLK Day luncheon event, drawing people together in reflection, unity, and action. The Commission’s focus is on addressing pressing issues such as literacy, youth violence, hunger, mentoring, education, and community enrichment. Through a variety of impactful programs, initiatives, and events, the MLK Commission fosters positive social change and inspires individuals and communities to work toward a more just and equitable society. For more information, visit mlkmidmichigan.com or follow the MLK Commission on Facebook, @MLKCommOfMidMI, and Twitter, @MLKCommOfMidMI.
# # #
» Visit MBN website: michiganbusinessnetwork.com/
» Watch MBN’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN
» Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork
» Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/
» MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/
