40 YEARS OF HONORING DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.’S LEGACY
MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2025 | 12 P.M.
OUR MISSION
TO HONOR DR. KING’S VISION OF JUSTICE BY BUILDING AN INCLUSIVE NETWORK OF INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS THAT WORK TOWARD EMPOWERMENT FOR ALL PEOPLE
40th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration in Lebanon
January 20, 2025, 12:00 p.m. | Resurrection Lutheran Church
Video Presentation …… Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. speech
Gathering Music …… Table 15
Welcome …… Sara Davis
Opening Congregational Song …… “Lift Every Voice & Sing”
Opening Remarks …… Raye Kimberlin
Prayer & Scripture …… Rev. Kathryn Davis
Drum Major Awards Introduction …… Sara Davis
Musical Selection …… Table 15
Drum Major Awards Winner Presentations
Kaitlyn Burger, presented by Alissa Hencey
Beverly Kinney (Posthumously), presented by Kristin Davenport
Family Promise of Warren County, presented by Gail Rash
Neighborhood Bridges – Lebanon, presented by Marcelete Elter
League of Women Voters – Warren County Unit, presented by Karen Bentley
Musical Selections …… MLK Lebanon Community Choir, directed by Jay Mills
Keynote Speaker …… Rev. Corey Wagonfield
Reading …… Emiko Moore
Announcements & Recognition of Dignitaries …… Rev. Karen Schaeffer
Remarks …… Raye Kimberlin
Closing Song …… “Let There Be Peace On Earth”
MLK Lebanon Community Choir and audience
Benediction …… Rev. Corey Wagonfield
THANK YOU TO OUR CIRCLE OF FRIENDS
Alex & Kristin Davenport
Tom & Sara Davis
Marcelete Elter
Bill & MaryEllen Haynes
Raye Kimberlin
Deborah Ransom
Gail Rash
Jane Simmons
Kelly Sakalas
John & Robin Wientge
R&W Heating
JOIN THE CIRCLE
For a $40.00 donation, your gift will support MLK Lebanon activities, events, and scholarship.
2025 DRUM MAJOR OF SERVICE
Beverly Kinney (1936-2024) In Memoriam
Lebanon Food Pantry nominates Beverly Kinney In Memoriam to receive The Martin Luther King Jr. Community Coalition of Lebanon, Ohio Drum Major for Service Award.
Beverly was an active citizen of Lebanon, Ohio, and a passionate volunteer in a plethora of community service and social justice causes. To mention only a few places she made an impact, she was a member of Resurrection Lutheran Church, a Trustee and the Secretary of Lebanon Food Pantry, a member of Warren County Democrats, a poll worker, a member of Better Angels, a Countryside YMCA volunteer, and a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity in Warren County. She was a patron of the arts and supported Pride events and MLK Lebanon. Beverly saw possibilities all around to make the community and the world a better place by getting involved and donating time, effort, financial support, and enthusiasm.
Beverly was a beloved educator who taught gifted students in the Princeton District for more than thirty years. She encouraged her students to think critically and take ownership of their education. She showed up for the young people in her circle and those she had yet to meet. Beverly was ready to encourage young people to get involved. She showed that there was always a next step and more to do.
Beverly inspired those fortunate to know her to serve not by words alone but by her example. She challenged everyone to find common ground and work collaboratively. She demonstrated the benefit of seeking diverse opinions to broaden her perspective and readily shared her experiences with others.
Though Beverly’s life was cut short, she continues to make her mark in Lebanon, Cincinnati, and beyond. Her family, friends, and acquaintances remember how she lived each day by asking, “What am I going to do to make the world a better place?”
Beverly’s legacy is in our hands as we strive to forge our path and positively influence others to build a better world.
Katilyn is a tireless advocate for students with disabilities and students’ mental health needs. She is a member of the Lebanon High School Hope Squad and works with other volunteer groups in the school to support inclusive practices. She is currently working with Key Club to plan a dress drive so that students who cannot afford dresses can attend prom, homecoming, and Daylight Prom (for students with multiple disabilities). She actively befriends and includes students, regardless of ability.
Kaitlyn Burger
ADULT COMMUNITY LEADER — POSTHUMOUSLY
YOUTH LEADER OF TOMORROW
AWARD WINNERS
Raye
Kimberlin
Raye Kimberlin, MLK of Lebanon Executive Director/President, has been a board member since 2010. She was raised in Lebanon and always believed everyone should be seen, heard, and included.
Raye has been the Founder/Community Leader of Giving Tuesday Lebanon since Nov. 2019. She created a local Giving Tuesday Lebanon community to support Lebanon and Warren County nonprofits. She developed a website and giving guide to showcase area charities, managing all public and media relations, including writing press releases, pitching stories, storytelling, all digital marketing, including social media, website, and email communications. Her accomplishments include being a panelist and speaker at the Giving Tuesday Global Summit, a Community Leader presenter as part of the Small Community Leadership Conference, and a participant in Giving Tuesday North America 2023 and 2024 Gathering. Raye’s work in the community includes ArtScape Lebanon, Art in Color Exhibit, Committee Member 2020, Main Street Lebanon, Marketing Committee Member, City of Lebanon, Board of Festivals and Tourism, Board Member/Secretary, Child Advocacy Center of Warren County, Blue Ribbon Gala Committee, Publicity where she has had a positive impact with every organization.
Raye is also an advocate for everyone in our community, issues on injustice, and issues concerning the environment. She participates in the Parent Advisory Committee for Lebanon City Schools on issues involving race and inequality, searching for solutions for our students. She urged the Lebanon Council to establish a Human-relations commission. After a month of debate, the Lebanon City Council unanimously denounced racism, prejudice, and discrimination and resolved to work toward change in the community on these issues. She completed MLK Lebanon’s goal of donating an All-Terrain Wheel Chair, making Caesar Creek accessible. Through marches, fundraisers, programs, workshops, and meetings, Raye has always led with compassion, integrity, and love.
“The of Color of Love Bridal Expo” was the brainchild of Raye while working in radio in Columbus. In 2001, Raye conceived the idea of celebrating marriage and love in the black community by creating a Black Bridal Extravaganza. The bridal expo included over 75 bridal businesses, Christian-based seminars, fashion shows, prizes, and a wedding for two lucky radio listeners. She also held “The Color of Love Bridal Expo” in Cincinnati with her own funding and support from her family. This is one of Raye’s proudest accomplishments.
During Raye’s time in Columbus, tragedy struck, and from that unimaginable incident, she became involved in several child abuse awareness and prevention organizations, advocating for children and families. She wanted to bring awareness to help educate and prevent this from happening to another baby. Her son Shawn is a miracle; she used her energy, knowledge, and power for good to help others!
Through her leadership, MLK Lebanon has accomplished amazing things and assisted the community of Lebanon in meaningful and measurable ways. Raye championed MLK Lebanon Committee members’ ideas as “We Stood Up to Hate with Love,” marched for Justice and Peace, interfaced with the Police Chief and Warren County Sheriff to bring awareness and understanding, learned the stories of individuals through community stories, celebrated Freedom on Juneteenth, focused on ways to heal our earth, stood in the gap for those in need, learning about our Constitution and our shared responsibility and our common desires. Raye has been an inspiration. She has invited us to the table, and it has been up to us to show up and do something.
ADULT COMMUNITY LEADER
2025 DRUM MAJOR OF SERVICE AWARD WINNERS
Family Promise of Warren County
Family Promise of Warren County is dedicated to helping families experiencing homelessness by offering a unique program that emphasizes responsibility, accountability, dignity, and growth. Through a volunteer-based approach, the organization equips families with the tools and support they need to achieve long-term success. Recognizing the complexity of poverty, Family Promise integrates educational outreach, targeted programming, and effective policies supported by thousands of volunteers. The organization provides food, transitional housing, support services for homeless families, and advocacy to prevent homelessness among at-risk families. It also focuses on educating the community about poverty and solutions to it. This organization also helped families in crisis after the devastating apartment fire in Lebanon. Family Promise helped them with resources to find new housing, food, clothing, and various items to rebuild their lives.
League Of Women Voters – Warren County Unit
The League of Women Voters (LWV) is a nonpartisan political organization dedicated to fostering informed and active participation in government. It works to increase understanding of key public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy. The League’s vision for the Warren County area is to be a leading civic organization that engages members and the community in public policy initiatives promotes voter rights and expands voter services. Its monthly meetings serve as informal group discussions to explore and address local community issues, acting as a “Community Think Tank.” The diverse group of women involved are passionate and thoughtful and believe in the importance of ensuring every voice is heard in shaping the community.
Neighborhood Bridges – Lebanon
Neighborhood Bridges is a community-driven organization that partners with local advocates such as counselors, social workers, and school administrators to anonymously post the needs of students and families on their platform. These needs range from school supplies and clothing to household items and financial assistance. The needs are shared with subscribers via daily emails and social media. Subscribers can then offer help, and the Neighborhood Bridges team ensures donations are picked up and delivered to those in need. Neighborhood Bridges was a significant source of support for many, especially those families and individuals impacted by the apartment fire. They provided essential items to help them with basic daily needs.
2024
Esther Larson - Adult Community Leader
Olivia Forrester (Posthumously) - Adult Community Leader
Mulberry St. Books (Angela Kovacich) - Outstanding Organization
2023
Zoe Scott - Youth Leader of Tomorrow
Russell Forrester - Adult Community Leader
Kristin Davenport - Adult Community Leader
Touching Hearts at Home - Outstanding Organization
2022
Mia Brady - Youth Leader of Tomorrow
Sophia Toler - Youth Leader of Tomorrow
Ellen Hudson - Adult Community Leader
Emiko Moore - Adult Community Leader
Emily Pennekamp, President of ArtScape Lebanon - Organizational Leadership Award
ArtScape Lebanon - Organization
Leena Rekhi-Salmon, Founding Member and Coordinator of PEACOC/Springboro Juneteenth - Organizational Leadership Award
PEACOC/Springboro JuneteenthOrganization
2021
Christiana Hardie - Youth Leader of Tomorrow
Sahiba Salmon-Rekhi - Youth Leader of Tomorrow
Renee Forrester - Adult Community Leader
Elizabeth Kimberlin - Adult Community Leader (posthumously)
Lebanon Food Pantry - Organization
2020
Francesca Dishueme - Youth Leader of Tomorrow
Hope McCarren - Youth Leader of Tomorrow
Steve Brady - Adult Community Leader
Elks #422 - Organization
2019
Allison Bausmith - Youth Leader of Tomorrow
Linda Rabolt - Adult Community Leade
Resurrection Lutheran Church Art Ministry - Organization
Warrior Backpack Program - Organization
2018
Pam Schiemann - Adult Community Leader
Laura Burke - Leader of Tomorrow
Prodigal Son Ministries - Organization
2017
Sharen Eninger - Adult Community Leader
Hannah Louise McCarren - Youth Leader of Tomorrow Countryside YMCA - Organization
2016
Mary Wells, Adult Community Leader (posthumously)
Rev. Karen Schaeffer, Adult Community Leader
Shawn Kimberlin, Youth Leader of Tomorrow
LHS ROTC, Organization
2015
Mayor Amy Brewer, Adult Community Leader
Rev. & Mrs. Woodson, Adult Community Leaders
Alyne Scott, Adult Community Leader
Home Depot, Organization
Bethel AME Church Organization
2014
Sandra Offord, Adult Community Leader
St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, Organization
2013
Jay Mills, Adult Community Leader
Well Dunn Photography, Organization
2012
Lebanon Optimist Club, Organization
Jean Benning, Adult Community Leader
2011
Mary Lou Harmon, Adult Community Leader
2010 Freedom Honorees
James Mills
Ethel Sims
Marie Singleton
Barbara Younger
This award is designed to recognize the contributions of those who exemplify the ideals of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as described in his sermon on the Drum Major Instinct.
Please make a nomination in any of the three categories of
3) Organizations Visit mlklebanon.org for more
OUR BOARD STEERING COMMITTEE
Raye Kimberlin, Executive Director/President
Rev. Karen Schaeffer, Treasurer
Renee Forrester, Secretary
Rev. Fred Cook,Chaplain
MLK CELEBRATION COMMITTEE
Chair: Renee Forrester
OUR CONTACT INFORMATION
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1671
Lebanon, Ohio 45036
Website: www.MLKLebanon.org
Email: mlklebanon@gmail.com
Phone: (513) 932-7919
LEBANON
The League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area Warren County Unit Group is dedicated to community engagement, educating the voters of Warren County, nonpartisan voter registration information-education, lively and informative eight monthly program discussions.
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging informed and active participation in government. It influences public policy through education and advocacy. We never support or oppose any political party or candidate. …We are visible and engage our members and community in public policy initiatives, educate and advocate for voter rights, and provide expanded voter service.
LWVCA Warren County Unit Group
https://my.lwv.org/ohio/cincinnati -area
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. ”
Dr. Martin Luther King,
March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28,
1963
