MLK Dream Team Event Highlights Youth Achievement and Community Service
The MLK Dream Team Black History Month kickoff drew a crowd Saturday at Minnetrista Cultural Center, where the event has been hosted the last several years. Ball State University President Geoffrey S. Mearns gave remarks celebrating the late Dr. Maria Hawkins-Williams and there were musical performances by Motivate our Minds Choir and Concrete Rose, a youth empowerment and leadership program that focuses on Black history, scholastic achievement, self-discipline, leadership and good works. YWCA CEO WaTasha Barnes Griffin is chairperson of the MLK Dream Team and emceed the event.
Student Essay Contest winners were recognized including Lena Cooper, Burris Laboratory School, Neria Osborne, Longfellow Elementary and first place winner, Ellie Clevenger, Burris Laboratory School. In the Middle School Division, winners were Ezekiel Branam, Burris Laboratory School, Gianna Williams, Northside Middle School and first place winner Sylvia Holroyd, Burris Laboratory School. In the High School Division, standouts were Sam Johnson, Burris Laboratory School, Meredith McClure, Burris Laboratory School, and first-place winner Makayla Gipson, Muncie Central High School. Northwest Bank provided cash prizes to essay contest winners.
The 2026 James P. and Marilyn Carey Award winners, recognized for their community service work, were Janet King, Teresa Long and Mike Martin. King was recognized as a “silent hero,” giving selflessly of her time and resources and for her commitment to YWCA Central Indiana, Concrete Rose and other good work. Long, an entrepreneur, is founder of and CEO of Hope Chest Tikkun Olam Center, a community-based outpatient mental health agency. Martin is a local musician, entrepreneur, and advocate who created Common Market, a community space for performers, artists and artists in need.
Organizations recognized were Soup Kitchen of Muncie, Muncie-Delaware County Black Chamber of Commerce and Sherman and Marjorie Zeigler Foundation. The MLK Dream Team was founded by the late community activist, Bea Moten-Foster.
