“The quality, not the longevity, of one’s life is what is important.” reads a quote on the banner hung at the entrance to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Garden, MLK Day event, Jan. 18, 2021.
On Jan. 18, a small but spirited group, led by local members of the Davison-based Louhelen Baha’i Center of Learning, celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day at a garden and new mural dedicated to King on Flint’s north side.
“We wanted to participate with the community and community members in celebrating his legacy,” explained Cam Herth, administrator at the Louhelen Center.
Celebrants gathered for prayer, song, and amplified speeches of King at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Garden located on M. L. King Ave. between McClellan St. and Genesee St. The entourage then walked one block north to the new I Have a Dream mural that blankets the two-story exterior wall of the old Gil-Roy’s Hardware Store on King Ave. at W. Dewey St.
“I wanted to do prayers with our Baha’i community and also to celebrate Martin Luther King Day with Milo,” Louhelen member Jessica Dean explained. Milo is Dean’s three-year-old son. Dean said the event provided an opportunity to pay homage to the values of “unity, equality, love and acceptance, and race amity.”
“What moved me…(was) that dream of Martin Luther King (which) lives on,” said Fred Kester, a Baha’i member since 1975. “God willing, it’ll live on for generations to come until the time when we can all march together as brothers and sisters.”
Peace Garden
The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Garden consists of 10 vacant lots owned by the Genesee County Land Bank and private owners that has been redeveloped and maintained, according to information provided by its sponsor, King Avenue PLUS, a Flint neighborhood association.
Led by PLUS member Barbara Culp, development of the project began in 2017 with design and horticultural assistance from Ruth Mott Foundation and its Applewood Estate staff. Culp was inspired by visits to other peace gardens and monuments.
The I have a Dream mural, a 2020 creation of artist Kevin Burdick, is based on a photo from the 1965 Selma to Montgomery March.
King Avenue PLUS neighborhood organization members and neighbors provided input to Kevin on their commitment to provide a mural that honored Dr. King on this major Flint street that carries his name.
Kevin listened… and brought this photo to the organization as the basis for a mural that does honor Dr. King – and provides an opportunity for many to respond. A small notebook in the information box invites visitors to share their thoughts and dreams.
The Flint Public Arts Project received a grant from Keep Genesee County Beautiful to bring Kevin Burdick to the implementation of this mural.
Reprinted with permission by East Village Magazine.
I Have a Dream mural, MLK Ave., Flint; mural marchers (l-r) Ralph Abernathy; James Forman; M. L. King; Jesse Douglas; John Lewis. (Photo by Harold Ford)
Baha’i Louhelen members at MLK Peace Garden, (l-r) Cam Herth; Fred Kester; Milo & Jessica Dean; Elizabeth Herth. (Photo by Harold Ford)
MLK Peace Garden, (l-r) Elizabeth Herth; Fred Kester; Cam Herth; Milo & Jessica Dean. (Photo by Harold Ford)
