“Inspiring!” was heard repeatedly at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center (MLK Center) as 115 people gathered for their Annual Meeting and Keeper of the Dream awards.
The Keeper of the Dream awards celebrates those whose outstanding commitment to the Center best embodies Dr. King’s ideals.
During the event, staff from the MLK Center reported on the successes and challenges of the last year, celebrated staff with five or more years of commitment to the Center, and honored the contributions of the following individuals.
Keepers of the Dream
Dwight and Susan Sipprelle
Keeper of the Dream – Community Partner
Dan Herchenroether of Herkworks Architecture
Content of Character Awards
Sarah Maher and Colleen Welsh
The MLK also shared the successes and challenges of last year and bid farewell to retiring trustees Gail Alofsin, Betsy Blair, and Whitney Slade. New trustees Asia Gonzalez-Dent, Sebastian Moore, and Theresa Wosencroft were welcomed as they joined the Center’s board.
Staff who have worked at the Center for five or more years were recognized:
- Kyra Westmoreland – 6 years
- Heather Hole Strout – 8 years
- Edward Crowley – 9 years
- Alyson Novick – 13 years
- Valencia Garrett-Friend – 29 years
“We’re delighted to return the Keeper of the Dream celebration back to the Center after completing our construction project”, said Heather Hole Strout, the Center’s Executive Director. “This year we honored the most extraordinary people who amaze us with their generosity and unwavering support. It was our best event yet: filled with the spirit of community that makes the MLK such an important resource in Newport County. We’re grateful to our event sponsor Behan Bros. for making this special possible.”
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center is an independent 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Only 3.95% of the Center’s total public support derives from municipal, state, or federal government funding sources.
Founded in 1922 and renamed after Dr. King in 1968, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center celebrated 100 years of service to the community in 2022. The mission of the MLK Community Center is to nourish, educate, and support Newport County, Rhode Island residents to improve their economic, social, and physical well-being. The Center works to build a strong and inclusive community where all people are empowered to be self-reliant and to live their best quality of life. Last year, the MLK served over 8,000 people, the most in its history.
