Issuu

BENDING THE ARC: Our Journey Towards Justice Keynote by Frederick Joseph

Exclusive Speaker Sponsor

Crispus Attucks Community Center

38TH ANNUAL

REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. BREAKFAST Monday, January 19, 2026

38TH ANNUAL

REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. BREAKFAST Presented by Crispus Attucks Community Center

Monday, January 19, 2026

PROGRAM OF EVENTS Invocation Rev. Stephanie M. Atkins, Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church BREAKFAST Welcome Lift Every Voice and Sing

Michael Fuller, WGAL

Led by members of McCaskey’s Voices of Freedom Choir

Youth Essay Contest Winner

Bakhshi Chiladze, Leola Elementary

Presentation of Essence of Humanity Awards Reflections

Vanessa Philbert, CAP Joshua Hunter, Crispus Attucks

Youth Essay Contest Winner

Laylah’G Shuler, Wharton Elementary

Spoken Word Performance

Sir Dominique Jordan

Presentation of Ruby Payne Cook Awards Featured Speaker Introduction Keynote and Q&A Appeal

Shane Zimmerman, Steinman Foundation Frederick Joseph & Vanessa Philbert Vanessa Philbert

Performance Music for Everyone, directed by Dr. Michael Jamanis Benediction Rev. Dr. Jim S. Amstutz, Lancaster Mennonite School Closing Remarks

Michael Fuller

We invite you to join us in helping to foster a vibrant, diverse, and prosperous community, rich with cultural heritage and educational opportunities, by making a gift to Crispus Attucks Community Center. Please text mlk26 to 50155 or you may mail a check, made payable to Crispus Attucks Community Center, to CACC MLK Donation, 601 South Queen Street, Lancaster PA 17603.

LETTER FROM LEADERSHIP Our theme this year is “Bending the Arc: Our Journey Towards Justice.” We are grateful to gather in fellowship and to welcome Frederick Joseph, who will guide our minds and hearts in this conversation. This theme draws from Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s March 31, 1968, speech: “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.” Yet as Dr. King understood, that arc does not bend on its own but when communities and generations step forward with courage and conviction, refusing to remain silent or still. We are honored to embark on this journey toward racial and social progress together with our partners and community who are committed to leading the way. On March 31, 1968, Dr. King delivered “Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution” at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. Over 3,000 people filled the cathedral, with another 1,000 gathered outside to hear his words. Tragically, this would be Dr. King’s final Sunday sermon. He was assassinated just five days later, making his message resonate across generations with even greater urgency as both a warning and a call to action. Dr. King’s sermon challenged listeners to remain awake and engaged in the ongoing fight for civil rights. Drawing on Washington Irving’s tale of Rip Van Winkle, who slept through the American Revolution, he warned against moral complacency, cautioning, “And one of the great liabilities of life is that all too many people find themselves living amid a great period of social change, and yet they fail to develop the new attitudes, the new mental responses, that the new situation demands. They end up sleeping through a revolution.” To bend the arc toward justice requires staying awake while continually learning new attitudes and responses that meet the demands of our evolving world. In his sermon, Dr. King identified three interconnected evils: racism, poverty, and war. He declared that racial injustice “is still the Black man’s burden and the white man’s shame,” noted that “we now have the techniques and the resources to get rid of poverty,” and called the Vietnam War “one of the most unjust wars that has ever been fought in the history of the world.” He stressed our fundamental interconnectedness: “We must learn to live together as brothers or we will all perish together as fools.” He also confronted two dangerous myths: time and bootstraps. Against those who counseled patience, he argued that “sitting in indifference” or “appalling silence” only aids stagnation, proclaiming that “human progress never rolls in on the wheels of inevitability” but is generated “through the tireless efforts and the persistent work of dedicated individuals.” He rejected the notion that people can pull themselves out of poverty through individual effort alone, observing, “It’s all right to tell a man to lift himself by his own bootstraps, but it is a cruel jest to say to a bootless man that he ought to lift himself by his own bootstraps.” This is how Dr.King urges us to bend the arc. It’s not by waiting or expecting those to pull themselves up, but by creating pathways and tools that make the journey toward justice possible for everyone. Dr. King made clear that bending the arc requires movement: physical and ideological action that refuses complacency. He reminded us that nothing “will be done until people of goodwill put their bodies and their souls in motion,” using our privilege, resources, and voices to “bridge the gulf” that separates our brothers, sisters, and neighbors. As the richest nation in the world, Dr. King believed America has the techniques and resources to eliminate poverty; “the real question is whether we have the will.” Thank you for joining us in this work toward social and racial justice. As Dr. King urged, let us not yield “to a politic of despair” but maintain hope that together “we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair the stone of hope.” Stay awake, stay focused, and when we work together, as individuals, institutions, and communities, we can bend that arc toward justice. In peace and justice, Vanessa Philbert, CAP CEO, and Joshua Hunter, Director of Crispus Attucks

bridge to

Opportunity GUIDING PRINCIPLE “We are on this earth for a purpose that is larger than our own self-interests, and we must strive to make the world a better place.”

—S. Dale High MISSION With a heart of service and a spirit of collaboration, High Foundation builds bridges to opportunity for individuals, organizations, and communities, striving for an equitable world of beauty, prosperity, and peace.

Building stronger communities,

together.

Proud to support the Community Action Partnership of Lancaster County 38TH ANNUAL REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. BREAKFAST

800.FULTON.4 • fultonbank.com Fulton Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.

PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS Michael Fuller co-anchors WGAL News at 4 p.m. and reports for the 10 and 11 p.m. newscasts. A Philly suburb native, he previously worked for news stations in Connecticut and South Carolina. Michael is a Hofstra University graduate, and previously held internships at the Today Show and Walt Disney Parks & Resorts. He is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists and the Society of Professional Journalists.

Rev. Stephanie M. Atkins is an ordained Itinerant Elder, writer, and leader in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. She holds a Master of Divinity from Howard University and an MFA in Nonfiction Writing from Goucher College. A passionate preacher and teacher, she has pastored four congregations and currently serves as the first woman pastor of Bethel AME Church in Lancaster. She is the Connectional Herstoriographer for Women in Ministry, preserving the legacy of women clergy, and is committed to equipping leaders through spiritual care, civic engagement, and storytelling. Rev. Atkins serves as chaplain for the Delaware Valley Chapter (PA) of The Links, Incorporated, has led voter advocacy efforts, and served on nonprofit boards. A published writer and advocate for Christian creatives, she is President of the Lambda Chapter of Rho Alpha Tau, Inc. Rev. Atkins is married to Ajene Atkins and is the mother of two grown daughters and GiGi to her 11-year-old granddaughter, Mink. McCaskey High School’s Voices of Freedom is a vibrant vocal ensemble led by Colette Stephens and assistant music director Keith Lewis that explores gospel music as a powerful cultural tradition rooted in American history. The course introduces students to the African American origins of gospel music and its influence on American music, society, and culture, while reflecting no specific faith or denomination. Over its 35-year history, the choir has earned top honors, released recordings, and performed with well-respected artists.

Sir Dominique Jordan is a prolific Hip Hop and Spoken Word Artivist, Educator, and Community Engagement Consultant, who leverages poetry, and music as avenues for healing, resilience, and connection. With a strong belief in the power of creative expression, he is the founder of Nobody’s Pen Poetry Collective and The Artivist Corp, which unite practitioners and educators in using the arts for social impact. Currently, Sir Dominique facilitates programs with The Ripple Hub and Attollo Prep, as well as, sharing his expertise at various colleges and universities, including Penn State and Millersville University. His workshops encourage participants to transform vulnerability into creative strength while fostering empathy and self-empowerment. As a devoted father, Sir Dominique blends his artistry with educational initiatives, creating inclusive spaces for transformational freedom. Shane D. Zimmerman began a multifaceted role working with Steinman Communications Inc., The Steinman Foundation, and the James Hale Steinman family in 2013. Currently, he serves as President of The Steinman Foundation, a private family foundation committed to enhancing the quality of life in Lancaster County. He is also President of Steinman Communications Inc., a diversified holding company overseeing a host of operating entities, including Lancaster Farming, Inc., Susquehanna Printing of Lancaster, LLC and Steinman Real Estate, LLC.

Music for Everyone (MFE) cultivates the power of music as an educational and community well-being tool to transform lives, schools and communities in Lancaster County. MFE strings was established in 2012 as a community student string ensemble under the direction of Dr. Michael Jamanis. Their home for the first 8 years was Crispus Attucks Community Center. They have performed at a variety of community events and locations such as Lancaster Stormers games, churches, Philadelphia 76ers halftime show, and retirement centers. For today’s celebration, the MFE strings have programmed a composition by Jeremy Cohen, inspired by Amazing Grace and set to excerpts from Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech “A Drum for Justice.”

Rev. Dr. Jim S. Amstutz is a retired pastor and educator in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. He has served on the CAP Board for the last ten years, including six years on the Executive Committee as Vice Chair and Chair. He serves on the Board of Trustees of Bluffton University in Ohio and is an assistant coach for the boys soccer team at Lancaster Mennonite School. Jim and his spouse Lorraine Stutzman Amstutz have three adult children and four grandchildren.

SPEAKER BIO: FREDERICK JOSEPH Frederick Joseph is a Yonkers, NY raised three-time New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. His books include a poetry collection, We Alive, Beloved, two books of nonfiction, Patriarchy Blues, and The Black Friend, a collaboration, Better Than We Found It, a children’s book, The Courage to Dream, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and his recent bestselling, Kirkus and Publisher’s Weekly Starred reviewed YA novel, This Thing of Ours. Joseph’s books have been named an Amazon Editors’ Pick, notable by the International Literacy Association, Best Children’s Book of the Year by Bank Street College, a Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choice selection, nominated for the In The Margins award, Booklist Editors’ Choice, a Notable Trade Book for Young People by the National Council for Social Studies, a Dogwood Title by the Missouri Associations of School Librarians, as well as longlisted for the Green Earth Book Award, and more. He has written for The Boston Globe, Essence, Huffington Post, AdWeek, and Cosmopolitan, and won both the Letter Review Poetry prize and a Letter Review Essay prize. Joseph’s writing and philanthropic work go hand-in-hand, and he has been recognized for community investment by Forbes 30 Under 30, the Comic-Con Humanitarian of the Year award, The Root100 list of Most Influential African Americans, and was most recently honored with the 2023 Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Vanguard Award, as well as the 2024 Allyship Award at Lincoln Center’s Black Girl Magic Ball. He has been a featured speaker at the UN HeForShe Summit, and has worked with fortune 500 companies and presidential candidates on their DEI efforts. He lives with his wife Porsche and dog Stokely in New York City.

Exclusive Speaker Sponsor

Please note: Community Action Partnership and its programs do not endorse all views presented by hired speakers. Speakers are chosen by the volunteer MLK Breakfast committee based on experience and expertise, and we view the speaker’s time with us as a prompt for critical thinking on diverse perspectives.

LANCASTER GENERAL HEALTH

Uplifting Our Communities Lancaster General Health’s mission is to advance and uplift the health and well-being of the communities we serve. We strive to improve our community, improve the lives of our students and staff, and improve the natural environment by educating and guiding people to take charge of their health and by transforming the way healthcare is delivered.

Learn more at PennMedicine.org/LancasterCommunities

LANCASTER COUNTY NEEDS FUTURE SHAPERS. LIKE YOU. PHILANTHROPY IS FOR EVERYONE.

LEARN HOW YOU CAN CREATE OPPORTUNITIES TODAY TO SHAPE OUR SHARED TOMORROW AT LANCFOUND.ORG

WHO WAS CRISPUS ATTUCKS? Crispus Attucks, our namesake at the Center, was born in 1723 to an enslaved man from Africa and a woman of indigenous Wampanoag-Natick ancestry. He fled white ownership to Boston when he was 27, and as a free man, Attucks worked as a skilled sailor and rope-maker. On March 5, 1770, frustrated with unjust British employment practices, Crispus Attucks bravely led a group of angry colonists to confront a group of British soldiers. Tensions mounted quickly, however, and the British soldiers fired into the crowd, first killing Attucks and then four others in what came to be known as the Boston Massacre, the spark of the American Revolution. Our promise to our community is to embody the spirit of Crispus Attucks, the man who was not afraid to stand against injustice. Reinvigorating what Dr. King called the “moral legacy” of Crispus Attucks as it relates to the Center and our work to create equitable community honors Attucks’ quest for justice and inspires us forward.

ABOUT THE CRISPUS ATTUCKS COMMUNITY CENTER Crispus Attucks Community Center is a cultural hub that creates equitable community by honoring African American history, elevating the Black experience, and caring for our neighbors. Through programs and events that promote community prosperity, we are carrying on a nearly century-old legacy of advocacy and resource offerings in southeast Lancaster City.

You can find the following community-centric initiatives at the Center: YOUNG PROFESSIONALS OF COLOR (YPOC) YPOC creates a safe and inclusive network for Black and Brown young professionals, where their voices are centered, activated, and honored. We host social and civic community events throughout the year where personal and professional growth can thrive. Please email ypoc@caplanc.org for questions about YPOC and details on how to apply to be a member of this free collective. CRISPUS ATTUCKS FOOD PANTRY The Center operates a choice food pantry, the second and fourth Wednesday of every month from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., for community members to access nutritious food to create healthy meals at home. Neighbors make appointments to shop based on their schedule, ensuring enough food is available for everyone coming each pantry day, and can shop as they would in a grocery store for food based on family and dietary need.

CRISPUS ATTUCKS CAFÉ The Center provides free community lunches every Tuesday and Thursday from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at the Crispus Attucks Cafe, which is located at the rear of the building. Community meals are accessible to everyone, with no ID or registration required to take part. CULTURE THROUGH THE CENTER The Center hosts community-wide cultural events throughout the year, in addition to the MLK Breakfast, including Black History Month, Crispus Attucks Day, Juneteenth, and Kwanzaa.

ESSENCE OF HUMANITY AWARD The Essence of Humanity Award is intended to recognize those individuals who - beyond the requirements of their work - demonstrate remarkable courage, love, strength, determination, encouragement, inspiration, and persistence when dealing with adversity, and to recognize those who demonstrate the spirit of caring and provide inspiration to such individuals on a daily basis. This award is made possible by the High Foundation.

DR. CLARK McSPARREN Dr. Clark McSparren, a lifelong Lancaster resident, has devoted more than six decades to the health and well-being of children and families in Lancaster County. After graduating from McCaskey High School, Franklin & Marshall College, and Penn Medical School, he completed his pediatric residency at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and served two years as a pediatrician in the U.S. Navy before returning home to practice general pediatrics for 60 years. In 1970, Dr. McSparren co-founded Lancaster Pediatric Associates, and in 2003, he began walking twice a week from his apartment on Duke Street to Carter & MacRae Elementary School in the School District of Lancaster to volunteer – treating everything from scraped knees to chronic conditions, and teaching students about their health, the importance of check-ups, and how to care for themselves. At Carter & MacRae, where 92% of students are categorized as economically disadvantaged, his compassion and consistency created a steady source of comfort and free care for the children who needed it most. Beyond his practice, Dr. McSparren served 12 years as Medical Director for Community Action Partnership’s Head Start program and co-founded the Lancaster County Committee on Child Abuse. He has mentored countless medical students and pediatric residents, sharing his expertise and passion for pediatric care. His six decades of service, compassion, and dedication have left an indelible mark on Lancaster’s children, families, and community. Reflecting on his work, he says, “It’s a joy to help guide the future. I give a lot, but I get a lot.”

AARON SWINTON Aaron Swinton, a lifelong Lancaster resident and proud graduate of the School District of Lancaster, serves as Principal of Reynolds Middle School, where he has transformed the school into a place where all students, regardless of their background, have a fair chance at success. A graduate of Millersville University with a master’s in Educational Leadership & Supervision, Aaron gives back to his school community daily through home visits, morning check-ins, and personal support for students and families while also attending every school event from sports to dances. Known for his compassion, dedication, and hands-on leadership, Aaron empowers teachers, initiates programs to support academic excellence and social-emotional growth, and ensures students have opportunities to succeed both inside and outside the classroom. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he visited students weekly to assist with remote learning, reflecting his unwavering commitment to the community he calls home. Driven and deeply caring, Aaron embodies the essence of humanity. Through his mentorship, guidance, and tireless service, he has positively impacted countless individuals leaving a lasting mark on Lancaster’s next generation. From his nomination: “Mr. Swinton’s determination is unmatched. His compassion for our students and community is inspiring, and his resilience, personally and professionally, make him the embodiment of what every principal and leader should be.”

RUBY PAYNE COOK AWARD Ruby M. Payne Cook served for nearly 30 years as the first Executive Director of Crispus Attucks Community Center. This award was established in memory of her commitment and dedication to the Center and the African American community. It is selected by Center staff and given annually to those who have dedicated their time and energy to serving the Center and the surrounding community. MARTY KELLEY Marty Hess Kelley is a lifelong Lancaster County resident and a graduate of Garden Spot High School and Goshen College, Indiana. She and her high school sweetheart husband, Mark Kelley, have two adult children and six grandchildren. Throughout her life, Marty has been deeply committed to service, education, and justice wherever she has lived. Her career includes teaching and coaching at Lancaster Mennonite High School and holding several leadership roles at Goshen College, including Admissions Director. She later continued her justice-focused work with the Fair Housing Council of Central New York and with a University of Maine-based organization supporting displaced workers. A passionate musician, Marty has long participated in and led choral groups centered on peace and justice, including Voices for Peace, and currently leads music at Community Mennonite Church. “Mrs. Marty” plays a special role at the Center by dedicating her time and skills to baking fresh homemade cookies for the Center’s Thursday lunch program. These delicious cookies are eagerly awaited by neighbors, sparking fond memories for some of baking with their parents and prompting conversations about the unmistakable quality of homemade vs. store-bought treats. Crispus Attucks director Joshua Hunter says, “Mrs. Marty’s best qualities include her kindness, caring nature, and compassion. She always arrives with a bright smile and a kind word, embodying a spirit of generosity. By giving her time and passion selflessly, she exemplifies a love for humanity that our world could use more of.” ROSARIO PANTOJA Rosario Pantoja, affectionately known as Carmen, is a deeply dedicated volunteer whose service has had a meaningful impact at the Crispus Attucks Community Center. Originally from New York, Carmen moved to Lancaster 20 years ago and has made community service a central part of her life. She is the proud mother of nine children and enjoys cooking, babysitting her grandchildren, singing karaoke, and finding meaningful ways to give back to her community. Over the past year, Carmen has generously given countless hours of her time, becoming a consistent and reliable presence in the Center’s twice-weekly community lunch program, where she helps prepare and serve meals to neighbors. She also supports the Center through donation pickups and plays an essential role in the monthly food pantry, volunteering for all three shifts and ensuring families have access to nutritious food in a welcoming environment. According to Crispus Attucks Food Pantry Coordinator Yahya McIntyre, “Carmen brings joy and positivity to everything she does, whether it’s taking on long volunteer shifts or dressing up as an elf for the Center’s annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony to help create a festive, welcoming atmosphere. Carmen volunteers not for recognition, but because she truly loves her role and believes in the mission of the Crispus Attucks Community Center.”

COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

BREAKFAST STEERING COMMITTEE

●

Nicole Pedriani, Univest Financial, Chair

●

Daniel Massey, Walz Group, Treasurer

●

Corey Meyer, Cargas, Secretary

●

Darryl Gordon, The High Companies, Immediate Past Chair

●

AmyLyn LeMasney, Head Start Policy Chair

●

Angela Eichelberger, Office of PA Sen. Scott Martin

●

Anna Ramos, Lancaster County Workforce Development Board

●

Dr. Elizabeth Powers, Millersville University

●

Jake Thorsen, Tenfold

● Joshua Hunter, Community Action Partnership, ● Crispus Attucks Director

Jim S. Amstutz, DMin, Lancaster Mennonite School

●Adam Aurand, School District of Lancaster●

Rod Redcay, Denver Borough

●Anna Ramos, Lancaster County Workforce● Development Board

Scooter Haase, Arch Street Center

●Arelis Perez, Community Action Partnership ●Brian Nguyen, School District of Lancaster ●Darryl Gordon, The High Companies ●Evita Colon, Speak to My Soul/A Concrete Rose ● ●Jodie Richardson, Magisterial District Judge

Rebecca Geiser, City of Lancaster

CRISPUS ATTUCKS COMMUNITY CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE Barbara Wilson, Lancaster City Housing Authority

●Justin Johnson, Lancaster Chamber

●Chris Ballentine, Willow Valley Communities

●Kimberly Fletcher, Family First Health ● ●Kristen Munro, The High Companies ●

Dr. Leroy Hopkins, Millersville University (retired) Ted Darcus, Community Volunteer

●Kristy Aurand, Community Action Partnership ●Dr. Leroy Hopkins, Millersville University (retired) ●

Michael Kurland, Millersville University

●

Nakiyah Parris, WGAL-TV ●Vanessa Philbert, Community Action Partnership ●Willonda McCloud, Bright Side Opportunities Center

CRISPUS ATTUCKS STAFF Joshua Hunter, Director

LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING by James Weldon Johnson Lift every voice and sing, Till earth and Heaven ring, Ring with the harmonies of Liberty; Let our rejoicing rise High as the listening skies, Let it resound loud as the rolling sea. Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us, Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us; Facing the rising sun of our new day begun, Let us march on till victory is won. Stony the road we trod, Bitter the chastening rod, Felt in the days when hope unborn had died; Yet with a steady beat, Have not our weary feet, Come to the place for which our fathers sighed? We have come over a way that with tears has been watered, We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered; Out from the gloomy past, Till now we stand at last Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast. God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, Thou Who hast brought us thus far on the way; Thou Who hast by Thy might, led us into the light, Keep us forever in the path, we pray. Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee. Lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee. Shadowed beneath Thy hand, May we forever stand, True to our God, True to our native land.

38th ANNUAL

REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. BREAKFAST EXCLUSIVE SPEAKER SPONSOR

VISIONARY SPONSOR High Foundation

Thank You

to our Sponsors

DREAM MAKERS Fulton Bank Lancaster County Community Foundation Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health WGAL

CHAMPION

JUSTICE

City Limits Foundation Lancaster Chamber

A Labour of Love Designs McKonly & Asbury LLP Andy and Michelle Dula McNees Wallace & Nurick Arconic RKL Cargas TriStarr Dr. Clark McSparren United Way of Lancaster County Elizabethtown College UPMC Factory Ministries WLCH Radio Centro Grudi Associates Lancaster City Alliance Laura Schanz Consulting Associates

LEGACY Aetna Armstrong World Industries Barley Snyder Franklin & Marshall College Highmark | Penn State Health Marotta/Main Architects Millersville University Patients R Waiting School District of Lancaster Shumaker PDT TAIT Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology Wellspan Health

ADVOCATE Anonymous CAP Board Member Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home Community Services Group Councilor Jaime Arroyo Donegal Insurance Group EHD Finanta Gibbel Kraybill & Hess LLP Grandview Church Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square

North Group Consultants Rainmakers Association Lodge RLPS Architects Rodgers & Associates Steve and Patti Deck TCW – GAV, Inc. UGI Walz Group Work Wisdom

MLK ESSAY WINNERS Have you ever left your home country because of war, and it was too dangerous to stay? I did; I had to leave my home country of Russia due to the war with Ukraine. It was too dangerous for my family to stay in Russia. When I moved to the US with my family we lived with our cousins for a month. While we were staying with them, I learned some English. When I started school I knew very little English, but by the next year I learned a lot more. Then a new student came to my school. He was from Ukraine. He knew no English. This reminded me of the situation I was in when I first came to school. Soon after the new student arrived at school his teacher came to my classroom and asked for my help. She needed my help to interpret for the new student so he could understand what she was saying. I could see the relief on his face as soon as I started to speak Russian. He learned English just like me and got better speaking every day. Dr. King wanted everyone to treat others with kindness. When I came to the US people were kind to my family, so I returned the kindness to the student from Ukraine. We both had to leave our countries but found our community to be a safe place. By: Bakhshi Chiladze Leola Elementary, 5th grade

Imagine a society where nobody stood up for anyone and just let the world be an unkind or unfair place. In this essay, I’m going to talk about how important it is to stand up for yourself and others, just like Martin Luther King Jr. did. It’s important to try and make the world a better place, because being kind can come back to you or it can spread. Another reason to spread kindness is that you spend a lot of time in the community, don’t you? Wouldn’t you want that community to be as fair and kind as it can be? It needs YOU to do that. Think about school, you spend more time there than at home. So, I’m guessing that you would want the place that you spend or spent the most time in to be fair and kind. No sexism, no racism; wouldn’t that be great? Well try to make that happen because small actions have big impacts, we can do it. So go out, give someone a high five, help someone out, because maybe that little gesture will make someone’s day. I myself did a kind action, when someone was having a bad day, I made them a card. And then afterwards, someone else made them a card. After that she had so many cards, and she felt so much better. Just by that small little act of kindness she felt better. It’s also very important to be fair, let someone play kickball with you. Even if they’re a girl, dress differently, or even just don’t play as good as you. In conclusion, it is important to try and make the world more kind and fair because we spend so much time around and it impacts us a lot and we should be able to be comfortable in it. By: Laylah’G Shuler Wharton Elementary, 5th grade

“

YOUTH ESSAY CONTEST QUOTABLES

Young people can help “bend the arc” by speaking up when they know something wrong is happening and by bringing awareness to the victims of misjustice. - Sophie Bowers, 8th grade, E.R. Martin

I can change the world like Dr. King did. - Normani Lawrence, 3rd grade, Fulton Elementary

I can make my school or neighborhood fair by treating others the way I want to be treated. -Yami Rivera Flores, 3rd grade, Wickersham Elementary

I can help make my school be more kind and fair for everyone by spreading my kindness to everyone and making everyone in the school have the same amount of love. -Clamenscky Supervil, 3rd grade, Fulton Elementary

“

The more actions that other students or anyone can do to make this world a better place, the better off we will be. Sometimes when you help someone, it can change their life!

- Olivia Lugg, 3rd grade, Brownstown Elementary

It is important to pursue justice in our society because it will make a brighter future for everyone.

- Ethan Geissinger, 5th grade, Wharton Elementary

Eliminating health disparities by increasing diversity in medicine.

From mentoring aspiring healthcare professionals to addressing critical health disparities, Patients R Waiting leads initiatives that create lasting impact: Diversifying Doulas Initiative®: Increasing the number of Black and brown doulas to improve maternal health outcomes in people of color. Pipeline Dreams: High School: Inspiring the next generation of diverse healthcare leaders through education and mentoring. MCAT Prep Cohort: Supporting future medical students on their journey to med school. 10th Annual Diversity in Medicine Conference: Save the date—September 26, 2026!

We invite you to visit the Black Doctor Factory at 100 S. Queen St Lancaster, PA, volunteer with us, or donate to support our initiatives. Scan the QR code to join our monthly newsletter and stay connected with our work. www.patientsrwaiting.com

“Early on I learned that the highest human virtue is compassionately serving others.” Dr. Martin Luther King

Congratulations to Aaron Swinton! Principal Swinton is this year’s recipient of the High Foundation’s Essence of Humanity Award.

SDLancaster.org 18

POSITIONING LANCASTER COUNTY BUSINESSES TO THRIVE Dr. King reminded us that the arc of the moral universe bends toward justice only when people and communities step forward to lead. Guided by this belief, the Lancaster Chamber is committed to advancing opportunity, equity, and shared prosperity for all. We are proud to support the 38th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast, Crispus Attucks Community Center, and the Community Action Partnership of Lancaster County.

Start your year with success: An integral element of the Lancaster Chamber experience is our selection of award winning, high-quality, and relevant events and programs. We are very excited as we prepare our events and program calendar for 2026, full of options curated just for you and your team!

CHECK OUT OUR CALENDAR OF IMPACTFUL EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES IN 2026!

Want to Learn More?

visit lancasterchamber.com

Dedicated to our clients. Connected to our communities. Barley Snyder is a strategically focused law firm with more than 120 attorneys representing businesses and individuals in all major areas of civil law. Interested in learning more? Scan Here! 20

“The noble opportunity facing America is to bring new light into the dark chamber of oppression.” —MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. speaking at Franklin & Marshall College on Dec. 12, 1963

is a proud sponsor of Community Action Partnership of Lancaster County’s

38 TH ANNUAL REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. BREAKFAST

Celebrating what makes us unique means embracing our similarities. We believe different backgrounds with one shared mission means exceptional care for all. That’s why we’re dedicated to listening to our patients and team members, so together we can create healthcare where everyone feels they truly belong. WellSpan is proud to support the Crispus Attucks Community Center Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast. WellSpan.org

Our benefactor worked to advance a more equitable future. So do we. 24 two-year degrees. Dozens of short-term trainings.

StevensCollege.edu

Advancing equity since 1905

Thaddeus Stevens

Our studio is proud to support the 38th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast and the Community Action Partnership

ARCHITECTURE

INTERTIOR DESIGN

PLANNING

Thoughtful Design / Rigorous Practice

PROUDLY SUPPORTS

CRISPUS ATTUCKS COMMUNITY CENTER’S

2026 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. BREAKFAST

BENDING THE ARC:

OUR JOURNEY TOWARDS JUSTICE

TOGETHER WE REMEMBER THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF A GIFTED STUDENT, AUTHOR, BAPTIST MINISTER, CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER, NOBEL PEACE PRIZE WINNER, HUSBAND, FATHER AND PROPONENT OF PEACE. Millersville University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. A member of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education. 9483-ADV-1225-JC

TIRED OF WEARING ALL THE HATS?

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION is fully integrated into the core fabric of

WHO WE ARE.

UPMC is proud to support Community Action Partnership. For information about UPMC services and locations, please visit UPMC.com/CentralPa.

Outsource with confidence.

Bookkeeping | Full Back-office Services | CFO Support

PA560538-TCR-_community_action_partnership_MLK_print_3.875x5.125_b.indd 1

12/17/25 12:34 PM

There when it matters most.™ ...since 1889

Learn more at DonegalGroup.com PAID FOR BY FRIENDS OF JAIME ARROYO

Making Gentle a Bruised World Worship at 9 & 11 on Sundays

grandviewlancaster.org

Locations in Lancaster & York

“THE TIME IS ALWAYS RIGHT TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT.” We Honor the Legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Through sustained relationships, we develop leaders and organizations toward their highest potential

15 NORTH SPRUCE ST., LITITZ, PA (717) 299-9800 www.NorthGroupConsultants.com

www.rlps.com

“

“An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.” - Martin Luther King Jr.

workwisdomllc.com

COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE.

tness of a community is most accurately measured by the ionate actions of its members. Coretta Scott King UGI is committed to supporting organizations that advocate for safe & sustainable communities. We are proud to support Community Action Partnership & Crispus Attucks in their mission to promote community prosperity, and more.

dy can be great… because anybody can serve. MLK Jr is always right to do what is right. MLK Jr Learn more at www.ugi.com

The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members. Coretta Scott King

“The time is always right to do what is right.” - MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR

MAKE IT A DAY ON, NOT A DAY OFF

Honoring the Legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Proud of our commitment to diversity and inclusion in honor of Dr. King’s legacy

Lancaster City Flourishes

and EVERYONE

shares in its

success. www.arconic.com

115 East King Street Lancaster, PA | lancastercityalliance.org

EDUCATING FOR SERVICE SINCE 1899. etown.edu

Proud sponsor of the Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast grudiassociates.com

91.3 FM LANCASTER 107.1 FM 1440 AM YORK

On this Martin Luther King Jr. Day, WLCH reaffirms that public radio is a voice to the community, promotes respect, and strengthens civic engagement.

Rainmakers Association Lodge is proud to support

The 38th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast 700 East Chestnut Street Lancaster, PA 17602

Aetna Better Health® Kids proudly supports

Community Action Partnership

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast

Healthier happens together® 1-800-822-2447 (TTY: 711) AetnaBetterHealthKidsPA.com

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” – Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Letter from Birmingham Jail, April 16, 1963

To Donate

Text mlk26 to 50155 You will receive a message with a link to donate.

Thank you for joining us! Crispus Attucks Community Center