January 13, 2020
As if to punctuate the importance of community and the Y's role in helping to foster it, two Y events took place over the past several days, each in their own way bringing people together in remembrance and focus on what matters and the important work that needs to be done to foster civil, respectful and healthy communities.
Friday, the Y celebrated its 45th Annual Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther, King, Jr. at the historic and newly renovated Druid Hill Y, where, not coincidentally, Dr. King and his entourage are known to have visited and exercised during various civil rights tours of the U.S. At that time, the Druid Hill Y offered the only indoor swimming pool in Baltimore which welcomed African Americans.
While we have made many huge strides since those nakedly racist and unjust days, our guest speakers on Friday all poignantly reminded us of how much more work is to be done and challenged each of us to answer Dr. King's inspiring call to commit ourselves to actively stand up to norms and systems which unjustly divide and discriminate; degrading the quality of life for some while opening doors for, and protecting, others.
It was an inspiring program which featured a group of impressive girls from Fort Worthington Elementary School, a Y Community School, who, along with Principal Monique Debi and Justin Hunt, the Y Community Schools Director at Fort Worthington, recited sections of Dr. King's iconic I Have A Dream speech.
Many thanks to all who participated in this inspiring event, including our keynote speaker, Dr. Letitia Dzirasa, the Commissioner of Health for Baltimore City, the acclaimed tenor Daniel Sampson, pianist Jada Campbell, the always masterful Master of Ceremonies, Bradley Alston, Y Baltimore City Community Leadership Board Chair Regina Salliey, our Baltimore City family center Y leaders Jayson Green and Heather Wilson, and Reverend Grey Maggiano, Rector of the Memorial Episcopal Church and passionate Y member.
Many thanks also to the generous sponsors who helped make this event possible: Chesapeake Employers Insurance, Bradley Alston, Regina Salliey, Nichole Battle and Peter Van Buren.
Last night, Y associates, friends, members and volunteers gathered at the Y in Catonsville to dedicate the climbing wall to Jordan Taylor, the Y associate who was recently murdered in yet another senseless act of violence in our City. It was a moving event and, although vastly different in theme of the MLK tribute, yet another strong reminder of the desperate need for community.
Simple as it seems and hard though it may be to measure, bringing people together, offering comfort and safety, and respecting the dignity and sanctity of all lives is at the core of the Y’s purpose.
Thanks to all who made the Jordan Taylor dedication event so poignant, especially Dawn Chrystal-Wolfe, District Executive Director of the Y in Catonsville, for her unflagging courage and strong leadership throughout this rough time since Jordan's death.
Thanks is owed as well to Mike Pararas of Pararas Creative Group along with Joe Amey of Advantage Signs & Graphics who donated the Dedication Plaque and Ralph Rizzo of R&R events who donated his sound services, along with American Idol musician and Y member Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon, who ended the program by singing a moving rendition of Bridge Over Troubled Waters by Simon & Garfunkel.
Many thanks to all. As much work as there is to be done, these events and the strong sense of community they engender are reminders of our continued work together to make the community a stronger, more united and better place for all.
All the best,
John
John K. Hoey
President & CEO
The Y in Central Maryland