A Man for All Seasons and All People

Today, I offer a story written by Robin Lee Michel, a professional writer and journalist friend with whom I have worked and collaborated on and off since the 1990's when I retired.  

Frankly, I had hoped to write this story msyelf, but because I was unable to cover it this year, I asked Robin if she would write a story of this year's traditional tribute to the Rev . Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., held at the First Baptist Church of Southington.  Robin graciously has done so.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
1929 - 1968

I've attended this event in the past and for more years than I can remember and through many years I have gradually appreciated more and more the universally compelling and significant historical nature of the life and work of the great Dr. King, surely a man for all seasons and all people.

Though I may yet write a broader-reaching personal reflection on the mission and message of King, I am most pleased to present below Robin Lee Michel's story of the 17th annual celebration of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Southington, CT. 

E. Richard Fortunato

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Guest speaker, student award winners emphasize ‘Passing it On’

By Robin Lee Michel

Southington, Conn. – To continue its tradition of remembering and honoring civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., First Baptist Church of Southington presented a community-wide celebration, which this year was held Jan. 13, the week before the actual national holiday. 

Each year, the organizing committee invites a prominent African American to speak to his or her success and offer his or her wisdom and knowledge and insight into the legacy of King. Attendees include community leaders, the public and people of all faiths. The 17th annual event focused on the theme “Passing it On.”

Guest speaker Erik Clemons, executive director
and president of Connecticut Center for Arts and
Technology, speaks about the success of his
leap of faith in keeping with the theme “Passing it On.”

It was the guest speaker’s own concerns about the legacy he would pass on to his four daughters that transformed the life of Erik Clemons, executive director of Connecticut Center for Arts and Technology in New Haven. “What have I done…so they’d be proud of me?” he said. The short version is that he went to coll
ege, interned at LEAP, an academic and social enrichment program, and nurtured his vision to open a center which could offer free career education and youth art programs to underserved residents in New Haven.

“I took a leap of faith and left my job,” as a postal worker, Clemons said. His family was behind him all the way. His idea for CONNCAT began to grow. “That was one and a half years ago. I didn’t know how to do it but I knew I would do it,” he said.

With the entrepreneurship of highly successful retired businessman Carlton L. Highsmith on board, millions of dollars were raised while the idea began to take shape. Clemons and the board targeted local businesses including Yale-New Haven Hospital to identify careers for which eligible candidates are needed such as phlebotomy and medical coding to develop knowledgeable and qualified individuals in these fields. The training program for these professions provides the education for 60 adults in a brand new CONNCAT facility. Other adult programs include financial literacy training and employability skills.

Meeting the unaddressed needs of almost 100 underachieving public school students, CONNCAT’s new after-school programs in graphic design, photography and other arts offers a safe setting for youngsters to express themselves, develop skills, embrace the visual arts, envision post-secondary education and learn personal values as well as develop pride and realize success.

All programs are free of charge. By all accounts the program has been an astounding success and there has already been talk about expanding to other small cities. “It’s taken off in a way I never thought it would,” Clemons said.

“Whatever has been given to me I’ve made it by the grace of God. I vowed this is what my life mission would be,” Clemons said.

The two students who received the annual recognition

award, who are standing with their parents, are Jake Aparo 

of Joseph A. DePaolo Middle School and 

Turner Rodman of John F. Kennedy Middle School.

Two Southington middle school students who were honored at the program have also committed themselves to success, improving life for others in their community and passing on the knowledge, skills and compassion they hold. Each year, an eighth-grader from Joseph A. DePaolo and John F. Kennedy middle schools is selected by his or her teachers and principal for the Martin Luther King Award, which is given by the event committee. This year’s recipients were Turner Rodman from JFK and Jake Aparo from DePaolo. Both students were described by school officials as conscientious, enthusiastic high achievers who are involved in leadership programs, community service and sports, garnering the admiration of not only educators       but their peers. The accolades were generous for these young men as they received plaques of appreciation and the book, “Dreams from My Father,” by Barack Obama.

The First Baptist Church of Southington -
The 17th Annual MLK, Jr. Service on
January 13, 2013

The event concluded with prayers for the oppressed whether it is the homeless, lonely, confused and unemployed as well as the admonishment to “pass it on,” be it love, knowledge, wisdom and helping others.

Photos courtesy of the First Baptist Church of Southington