MLK Community Center Presents 'Keeper of the Dream' Awards

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center, located at 20 Dr. Marcus Wheatland Blvd., Newport, RI, welcomed over 120 guests on the evening of Monday, June 17th, 2019 for its annual Keeper of the Dream celebration

Each year, the MLK Community Center bestows the Keeper of the Dream awards on individuals or groups whose outstanding commitment and contribution most embody the ideals of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Center also released its 2018 Annual Report.

The Point Association of Newport, RI received the Keeper of the Dream award, BankNewport received the Keeper of the Dream – Community Partner award, and Newport resident Gary Klein received the Volunteer of the Year award.

“We are so proud to honor The Point Association, BankNewport, and Gary Klein for their selfless commitment to the MLK Community Center’s mission,” said Executive Director Heather Hole Strout. “They make our community stronger.”

The Center welcomed returning trustee Whitney Slade and new trustees Kelly Doern and David Schuller to the Board. Outgoing trustees Tom Callahan, Jane Corcoran, Zulekha Ludwig, Michael Nolan, Eric Peterson and Nakia Tull were thanked for their service and presented them with a branded tote bag featuring artwork of created by the students using Maker Space technology in the Center’s After School program.

Hole Strout explained the Center’s impact in 2018. “We served 3,654 people last year, the most in our history. Our new Mobile Food Pantry is making visits in Middletown, Jamestown, Tiverton and Portsmouth. We’re supporting families and engaging seniors, and helping kids thrive in Preschool, After School and Summer Camp. The future of the Center is brighter than ever.”

Above: Outgoing trustee Zulekha Ludwig is presented flowers and a bag hand-made by MLK students as Committee of Trustees Chair Judy Hall thanks her for her years of service. Credit: Kate Whitney Lucey