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MLK Breakfast 2025: Awards and photos

From Left: Vanessa Philbert, Derrick Burch, Ron Martin; High foundation reps: Robin Stauffer and Darryl Gordon

From Left: Vanessa Philbert, Derrick Burch, Ron Martin; High foundation reps:  Robin Stauffer and  Darryl Gordon
From Left: Vanessa Philbert, Derrick Burch, Ron Martin; High foundation reps: Robin Stauffer and Darryl Gordon

Monday, the 37th annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast, hosted by Crispus Attucks Community Center, to raise money for the community center, was held at the Student Memorial Center at Millersville University. This year’s theme, Unity in Diversity: Our Single Garment of Destiny, comes from Dr. King’s Nobel Prize lecture.

The event featured awards, videos from the youth essay contest winners reciting their work, performances from sisters Shanise Philbert and Chelsea Christmas, music by Emmanuel Hamptom, poet Lord Eil, and THEM Collective. The Keynote speaker was writer Ijeoma Oulo.

Lord Eli is a poet, writer, and music producer from Puerto Rico based in Lancaster Pa. Eli is the co-creator of The Shores of Rico and an advocate for creative expression through his work with youth. Eli performed his spoken word piece, “Where I’m From.”

" We need systems that reward, love, compassion, integrity and justice. Too many claim they stand for the children but profit off them instead. We need leaders who selflessness isn't a show, leaders unafraid to confront oppression, to demand transformation and change, from labor laws to union strengths, peaceful protests to riots, every step fuels the revolution, but being a revolutionary doesn't come with revenue, and it won't be televised."

Youth Essay Contest Winners

• Jamari Colon, Hazel L. Jackson Middle School

• Jailynn Ortiz, Dahianna Ruiz, and Manual Corrales Vazquez, Washington Elementary School

Essence of Humanity Awards

• Derrick Burch: Burch is the Director of Development and Community Engagement at The Mix. Burch is a grant writing consultant and has been a caterer for 38 years. He is also a graduate of the Leadership Lancaster Class of 1999, two-time graduate of Project Blueprint, and serves on multiple community boards.

• Ron Martin: Martin is a retired broadcast journalist from WGAL. Martin dedicated 37 years to WGAL and became the face of local news in the Susquehanna Valley. Martin is a Mid-Atlantic Region Emmy award winner and was honored with the National Association of Television Arts and Sciences Mid Atlantic Board of Governors Award for his lifetime achievements and contributions to the television industry.

Ruby Payne Cook Award

• Aida Rodriguez: Rodriguez came to Lancaster at 7 years old, and it has become her home. Growing up in the 7th ward, her mom enrolled her and her siblings in every program she knew of: Boys and Girls Club, Teen Haven, and Crispus Attucks. One of Rodriguez's favorite memories was going to Crispus Attucks during Christmastime and receiving toys.

• UGI Utilities, Inc.: UGI is a natural gas and eclectic utility company, committed to delivering reliable, safe, and affordable energy to 740,000 customers in 46 counties in Pa. and one county in Maryland. UGI believes that safe, reliable and efficient energy is essential for it's customers and the community. UGI has been a partner with Crispus Attucks Community Center through donating back-to-school supplies, volunteering at the food pantry, and donating additional carts for the people at the food pantry.

Attucks Legacy Award

• Ted Darcus: Darcus was the Associate Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club of Lancaster. For over 33 years, Darcus supervised operations and successful community programs. Darcus managed the budget and programs that served more than 4,000 underserved youth across Lancaster County before retiring in 1998. Darcus continues to serve the community as member of multiple boards: Parish Resource Center, Spanish American Civic Association, La Academia Charter School, Crispus Attucks Advisory Board, and is honored to be a lifetime member of the Boys and Girls Club of Lancaster. Darcus is still active, continuing his service as a long-time member and volunteer at Brightside Baptist Church and Brightside Opportunities Center.

Photos

(Photos: Brian McCloud)