For Immediate Release | Official Press Release

PRESS RELEASE 
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
 
36300 Warren Road | Westland, Michigan | 48185
Office 734.467.3200 | Fax 724.721.2310

WWW.CITYOFWESTLAND.COM

2016 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Freedom Walk and Prayer Breakfast

 

Westland, MI -  

Mildred Gaddis, one of Detroit's most trusted and respected journalists and award-winning news/talk show host, will deliver the keynote address at this year's Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Ceremony in Westland. The event will be held on Monday, January 18 and will begin with a freedom walk from John Glen High School to the Friendship Center at 9:00 a.m.  The Friendship Center is located at 1119 Newburgh Rd.

Participants are asked to gather at John Glenn High School, located at 36105 Marquette Rd. beginning at 8:30 a.m.   The Freedom Walk, which will begin at 9 a.m., will symbolize all of those who marched with Dr. King over 50 years ago.  The short walk will end at the Friendship Center and continuous shuttles will be available to return you to your vehicle.

The Friendship Center's doors will open for the prayer breakfast and ceremony beginning at 9:00 am. The prayer breakfast and ceremony, which begins at 10:00 a.m. will include uplifting messages from local clergy and  is being funded by the Westland Police Community Partnership Committee.

Mildred Gaddis , a 40 year radio veteran, has been described by  the Detroit Free Press  as one of ten  African Americans to watch in Detroit.  Her  sometimes no-nonsense, but warm and inspiring style has made  her  a force to be reckoned with and admired by politicians and residents through Metro Detroit.   For 13 years she reigned as the only woman in the male dominated morning drive 6AM-10AM slot. 

"In this 21st century America the great tragedy is still man's inhumanity to man," commented Gaddis.  " I look forward to sharing my message of hope with the proud residents of Westland, as they honor the life of one of America's greatest sons."

The Master of Ceremonies for this year's celebration will be popular Detroit historian Ken Coleman.   Ken Coleman, author of On this Day: African-American Life in Detroit, is a native Detroiter and former news reporter and editor at the Michigan Chronicle.

"Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a time to honor Dr. King's life and legacy and reflect on how we can best live up to his dream today," said Mayor William Wild. "I am honored to be joined by such esteemed figures as our community pauses to celebrate the life of this incredible man."

If you are able to attend, please RSVP to the Mayor's Office at (734)467-3200.


What: Martin Luther King Ceremony
When: Monday, January 18
Where: Westland Friendship Center at 1119 Newburgh Rd.
Time: Freedom Walk from John Glen High School at 36105 Marquette Rd. at 9:00 am
   Ceremony begins at 10:00 am.


For more information, contact Aubrey Berman, Administrative Secretary, at
734-467-3200
  ###
Westland, Michigan is the state's 10th largest municipality, with a population of over 84,000 people who exhibit a great deal of pride in their All-American City.  Westland has a thriving business community along with beautiful residential areas.  The citizens enjoy a wide array of amenities and a quality of life that is second to none.

 
In 2014, Westland was rated as one of 24/7 Wall Street's America's Best 50 Cities to Live, offering residents and visitors an ideal blend of single-family affordable homes, apartments and condominiums, great schools, and access to numerous outdoor activities.  Public safety is delivered by full-service, professional law enforcement and firefighting personnel. Westland Police Department, whose motto is protect and serve, provides emergency dispatch services to four cities and over 100,000 residents; the Western Wayne Fire Association firefighters collaboratively serving the Cities of Wayne and Westland are licensed paramedics who responded to over 13,000 calls for service last year, about 85% being medical based.  They never forget their mission of preserving life and property.

 
Westland is well-known as the premier destination for shopping and dining in Wayne County with hundreds of shops and restaurants anchored by the Westland Shopping Center, one of the country's original four regional malls.

 
Infinite opportunities are available in Westland for the recreation aficionado including, more that 40 parks and 1,500 acres of trails, a 9-hole golf course, hockey arena, athletic fields, playscapes, a Farmers and Artisans Market and more.  One of Michigan's most environmentally friendly cities, Westland has a progressive curbside recycling program with one of the highest participation rates in the nation and the City is raising the bar for cultural experiences with the placement of public art throughout the City.

 
The City is served by two public school districts; Wayne-Westland Community Schools serving 12,000 youth was recently named one of the Best School in Michigan by WXYZ-TV and is the proud recipient of 14 Golden Apple and two Michigan Blue Ribbon Exemplary School Awards.  Livonia Public Schools, educating nearly 15,000 students, is proud of their MEAP/MME scores that exceed state averages and the District has also earned Golden Apple and Michigan Blue Ribbon Exemplary School Awards.

 
Westland's philosophy is that government should embrace good business principles.  Providing oversight over the City's operating budget of $60 million dollars, Westland is the only community in Wayne County with a 3-year balanced budget and an approximately 10 percent budget surplus.

 
The City provides competitive incentives for those who are interested in investing in Westland, making it one of the hottest investment markets in the region.  Our Fast-Track to Business Team, which consists of key decision makers who work diligently on a development plan will "cut the red tape" and expedite the approval process for new business development.

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