Thank You.
Jamece Brown, Sarah York Rubin, Toni Schultheis, Gregory Freeland
Both days were equally exciting and full of energy. We received more sign-ups than ever before for volunteers and interest in our upcoming events and activities. This may be due in part to the incredible engagement of those at the booth, who actively encouraged people to stop by and took the time to share
meaningful information about what we do. Special thanks to Gregory Freeland, who assisted at the booth on Saturday, and to Isaac Garrett, who checked in both days offering additional support.
When Sarah asked for a one- to two-minute elevator speech to share with visitors, I responded with the following:
1. How MLKSB started: We began in 2007 with just one day of activities. By 2015, the celebration expanded into a weekend event, and today it has grown into a five-day program. We open with the Eternal Flame & Walk With Us at the UCSB campus and continue with a range of events and activities throughout the week.
2. What we do: MLKSB serves both adults and youth. During the MLK holiday, we host a five-day program featuring panels, performances, and community engagement. We also participate in local events year-round to build relationships and raise awareness. Our signature youth initiative is the Essay and Poetry Awards Program (EPAP), which encourages young people to reflect on Dr. King’s legacy through their own voices.
Some highlights from the weekend included reconnecting with Santiago Muñoz (I even got a photo with him), a former EPAP participant. Santiago received second place in the program when he was just 7 years old and a student at Roosevelt Elementary School. He shared how much the experience meant to him—
especially being on stage at the Arlington Theatre—and said it left a lasting impression. Santiago is now in the Engineering Academy at Dos Pueblos High School and looking forward to his senior year.
Another memorable moment was meeting seven-year-old Yusuf from Ventura. He stopped by with his parents and older brother and proudly shared what he had learned about Dr. King after doing a school report. He asked to take a photo next to our poster of Dr. King. His mom even had a picture of the project, which included a large cutout of Dr. King’s face next to Yusuf’s.
We also met a father from Ethiopia who visited with his two daughters. He spoke about his appreciation for Dr. King’s legacy and expressed interest in having his daughters participate in next year’s Essay & Poetry Awards Program.
Many visitors stopped to share their thoughts about current national challenges, voicing concerns about the political climate and its impact on the country. While the booth was noticeably busier than in previous years, sales were lower—despite having three items available: baseball caps (which weren’t displayed on Saturday), sturdy MLKSB tote bags, and our signature burgundy and aqua-outlined T-shirts.
Overall, the atmosphere was vibrant, with high levels of engagement. Several people expressed both excitement and concern—particularly around issues like the economy, environmental rollbacks, and wide-spread job losses. Still, the sense of community and shared purpose was strong throughout both days.
thank you to the hardworking leaders and volunteers of MLKSB, glad recipients of prior Essay and Poetry awards were in attendance and there was an excellent turnout in honor and memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on a beautiful day.