{"id":4224,"date":"2021-06-11T16:13:50","date_gmt":"2021-06-11T20:13:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/teaminc.flywheelsites.com\/?page_id=4224"},"modified":"2026-01-30T09:12:32","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T14:12:32","slug":"martin-luther-king-committee","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/teaminc.org\/pt\/martin-luther-king-committee\/","title":{"rendered":"Comit\u00ea de Martin Luther King"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; fullwidth=&#8221;on&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; da_disable_devices=&#8221;off|off|off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; da_is_popup=&#8221;off&#8221; da_exit_intent=&#8221;off&#8221; da_has_close=&#8221;on&#8221; da_alt_close=&#8221;off&#8221; da_dark_close=&#8221;off&#8221; da_not_modal=&#8221;on&#8221; da_is_singular=&#8221;off&#8221; da_with_loader=&#8221;off&#8221; da_has_shadow=&#8221;on&#8221;][et_pb_fullwidth_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/teaminc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Martin-Luther-King-Jr-Banner-1-1.webp&#8221; title_text=&#8221;Martin Luther King Jr Banner (1)&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; background_image=&#8221;https:\/\/teaminc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Martin-Luther-King-Jr-Banner.jpg&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_fullwidth_image][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; min_height=&#8221;4196.4px&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||97px|||&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;3em||40px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;3em||0px|&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;1em||0px|&#8221; da_disable_devices=&#8221;off|off|off&#8221; border_width_bottom=&#8221;6px&#8221; border_color_bottom=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; da_is_popup=&#8221;off&#8221; da_exit_intent=&#8221;off&#8221; da_has_close=&#8221;on&#8221; da_alt_close=&#8221;off&#8221; da_dark_close=&#8221;off&#8221; da_not_modal=&#8221;on&#8221; da_is_singular=&#8221;off&#8221; da_with_loader=&#8221;off&#8221; da_has_shadow=&#8221;on&#8221;][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;1_2,1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h1><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: #003366;\">Who We Are<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;|1px||||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>We are a group of residents within the Valley whose mission is <em>to memorialize the transformative legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and to inspire the Valley communities with love, equity, justice, and compassion for <u>all<\/u> Valley residents. <\/em>The vision is that the dreams and convictions of Dr. King perpetually resonate throughout all the behaviors, actions, and systems in our Valley region\u2019s work as we strive to address community wellbeing &amp; quality of life for <u>all<\/u>. Over the last few years, the MLK Unity in the Community Committee proudly completed the prominently displayed (one of its kind &amp; largest in Connecticut) MLK Bust on Main Street in front of Ansonia City Hall, and conducted a series of panelist events with interactive Q &amp; A opportunities focused on race, public safety, policing, and community trust \u2013 panelists have included a local Valley Chief of Police &amp; law enforcement, leaders in youth &amp; faith, and members of both the Valley NAACP and the MLK Unity in the Community Committee. Additionally, we have fundraised and completed a mural in the heart of Derby recognizing and celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr&#8217;s legacy.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; border_width_all=&#8221;2px&#8221; border_color_all=&#8221;#051272&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><strong>Committee Chairpersons:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Reverend Brian Riley &amp; Dr. Leslie Youngblood<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider divider_weight=&#8221;9px&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; header_2_font=&#8221;|600|||||||&#8221; header_2_font_size=&#8221;22px&#8221; header_2_line_height=&#8221;1.9em&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Video: The Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_video src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=lRZuzVEsexY&#8221; src_webm=&#8221;https:\/\/youtu.be\/eP1ftvsoaDo&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||-6px|||&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;|||0px||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_video][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/teaminc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/1200&#215;0-2.webp&#8221; title_text=&#8221;1200&#215;0-2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;1_2,1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; min_height=&#8221;584px&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;|auto|-101px|auto||&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||106px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Elderly Services&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; text_font_size=&#8221;20px&#8221; text_line_height=&#8221;1.6em&#8221; header_font=&#8221;|700|||||||&#8221; header_font_size=&#8221;38px&#8221; header_line_height=&#8221;1.3em&#8221; header_2_text_color=&#8221;#012a5e&#8221; header_2_font_size=&#8221;32px&#8221; header_2_line_height=&#8221;1.3em&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h1>Project: MLK Mural<\/h1>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider divider_weight=&#8221;7px&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; max_width=&#8221;30%&#8221; height=&#8221;15px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/teaminc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/mlk-final-mural.webp&#8221; title_text=&#8221;mlk final mural&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Our Goal<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p>Since 2021, the Valley MLK Committee has worked with the City of Derby and the community at-large in order to prominently paint an MLK mural on a permanent building structure to inspire Derby and the surrounding Valley communities with equity, justice, and opportunity for <u>all<\/u> Valley residents. As an inspirational and historic Civil Rights leader against all manner of racial, social, and economic injustices, a mural featuring Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and what he stood for became a clear opportunity to work with our neighborhoods &amp; leaders in achieving the mission of the MLK Committee.<\/p>\n<h2><strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n<h2><strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n<h2><strong>In 2025, the mural was completed!<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h2>Local artist, Isaac Bloodworth, designed and completed the work, paid for by funds raised by the committee.<\/h2>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;1_4,1_4,1_4,1_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/teaminc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/mlk3.webp&#8221; title_text=&#8221;mlk3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/teaminc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/mlk2.webp&#8221; title_text=&#8221;mlk2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/teaminc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/mlk1.webp&#8221; title_text=&#8221;mlk1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/teaminc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/mlk4.webp&#8221; title_text=&#8221;mlk4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/teaminc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/mlk-mural-plaque.webp&#8221; title_text=&#8221;mlk mural plaque&#8221; align=&#8221;center&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>From the Mayor of Derby to our TEAM Board Members &amp; Co-Chairs (Reverend Riley &amp; Dr. Youngblood) \u2013 from Valley NAACP President Greg Johnson to fellow MLK Committee member &amp; Derby resident Dave Gattison, we gathered with 40 people in downtown Derby with artist Isaac Bloodworth to memorialize past legacies and the incredible opportunities ahead for\/with Derby &amp; The Valley in building relationships &amp; strengthening communities. Creating the conditions for people to meet and further the connections &amp; relationships, all toward the betterment of inclusive excellence and stronger communities as we break the silos and divisions (both real divisions as well as the many <u>perceived divisions<\/u>). Silos are the undoing of communities \u2013 building peer-to-peer relationships and individuals &amp; families as advocates within their neighborhoods the live\/love\/work is the key to community action. We were inspired to be joined by Democratics &amp; Republicans, Derby &amp; Valley residents, community partners &amp; colleagues, and people of all ages, colors, and more to complete this meaningful project, after years of hard work.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/teaminc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Valley-Independent-Sentinel.webp&#8221; title_text=&#8221;Valley Independent Sentinel&#8221; url=&#8221;https:\/\/valley.newhavenindependent.org\/2025\/08\/12\/mural_to_pay_homage_to_mlk_two_notable_valley_figures\/#:~:text=DERBY%20%E2%80%93%20A%20mural%20to%20honor%20the%20life,of%20the%20flood%20wall%20along%20the%20Derby%20Greenway.&#8221; url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; align=&#8221;center&#8221; force_fullwidth=&#8221;on&#8221; disabled_on=&#8221;off|off|off&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color=&#8221;#012a5e&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;4px|4px|4px|4px|true|true&#8221; border_radii=&#8221;on|2px|2px|2px|2px&#8221; border_width_all=&#8221;11px&#8221; border_color_all=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||0px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Project news and updates:<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/valley.newhavenindependent.org\/2025\/08\/12\/mural_to_pay_homage_to_mlk_two_notable_valley_figures\/#:~:text=DERBY%20%E2%80%93%20A%20mural%20to%20honor%20the%20life,of%20the%20flood%20wall%20along%20the%20Derby%20Greenway.\">Valley Independent Sentinel &#8211; August 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/valley.newhavenindependent.org\/article\/mlk_story\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Valley Independent Sentinel &#8211; June 2021<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ctpost.com\/news\/article\/Mural-honoring-Martin-Luther-King-Jr-planned-in-16249943.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CT Post &#8211; June 2021<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Click the news links above to read about the progress and completion of our project!\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_cta button_url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.paypal.com\/donate\/?hosted_button_id=QWLW293RVUJK2&#8243; url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text=&#8221;Click Here to Donate to Future MLK Projects!&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; header_level=&#8221;h4&#8243; body_font=&#8221;|800|||||||&#8221; background_enable_image=&#8221;off&#8221; background_size=&#8221;contain&#8221; link_option_url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.paypal.com\/donate\/?hosted_button_id=QWLW293RVUJK2&#8243; link_option_url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; text_shadow_style=&#8221;preset4&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; disabled_on=&#8221;on|on|on&#8221; disabled=&#8221;on&#8221;][\/et_pb_cta][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;1_2,1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/teaminc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Brotherhood_Awards_2020_2.webp&#8221; title_text=&#8221;Brotherhood_Awards_2020_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/teaminc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/1200&#215;0.webp&#8221; title_text=&#8221;1200&#215;0&#8243; align=&#8221;center&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;13px||||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/teaminc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/MLK-cover.webp&#8221; title_text=&#8221;MLK cover&#8221; url=&#8221;https:\/\/teaminc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/MLK-Web-Page-002.pdf&#8221; url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; align=&#8221;center&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; width=&#8221;58%&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;13px||||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_video src=&#8221;https:\/\/youtu.be\/SNv-H5hMgVM&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_video][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;1_2,1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; min_height=&#8221;532px&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;|auto|-101px|auto||&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||19px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_divider divider_weight=&#8221;7px&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; max_width=&#8221;30%&#8221; height=&#8221;15px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Meals on Wheels&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; text_font_size=&#8221;18px&#8221; text_line_height=&#8221;1.5em&#8221; header_font=&#8221;|700|||||||&#8221; header_font_size=&#8221;38px&#8221; header_2_text_color=&#8221;#012a5e&#8221; header_2_font_size=&#8221;32px&#8221; header_2_line_height=&#8221;1.3em&#8221; width=&#8221;212.4%&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;-4px|-711px||||&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||0px|||&#8221; header_2_font_size_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; header_2_font_size_phone=&#8221;28px&#8221; header_2_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; inline_fonts=&#8221;Arial&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>Throughout Martin Luther King Jr\u2019s life, he preached the importance of equality and unity, saying in a 1965 speech: \u201cWe must all learn to live together as brothers, or perish together as fools.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Locally, King\u2019s legacy lives on through The Valley Martin Luther King Unity in the Community Committee. Despite being over 50 years since King\u2019s death, the committee\u2019s mission is to promote equity and equality in all Naugatuck River Valley towns, emphasizing the importance of a unified people.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWithout unity, we don\u2019t have anything,\u201d said Ulysses Youngblood, a pastor in Ansonia and chair of the committee, \u201cbecause divided we fall, but when we\u2019re united, we can accomplish a whole lot.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The committee, formed in 2018, is partnered with TEAM Inc. in Derby, Conn., a nonprofit organization whose mission is \u201cto ensure the causes and conditions of poverty are being addressed and the communities, families, and individuals we serve are empowered and strengthened through education, support, and opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Originally, the committee was known as The Valley MLK Bust Committee, which raised money to install a sculpture of King in Ansonia. In May 2019, the bust was unveiled in front of Ansonia City Hall, accomplishing the committee\u2019s initial mission. According to the Connecticut Post, the bust is just the second of King in Connecticut, the first located in New Britain.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen people spoke and talked about what they would like to see in terms of seeing Dr. King\u2019s vision come to fruition, there was a young boy \u2013 a young white boy \u2013 who stated in the meeting that we wanted to see a Dr. King bust or statue somewhere in The Valley area,\u201d said Alfred Smith, a committee member, and pastor at Macedonia Baptist Church in Ansonia.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnd so a group of ministers including myself, we got together, and we met for over three years; raising funds, community involvement, and now the result of all that work, a collaborative and cooperative venture, is the fact that only the second bust of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stands right next to City Hall.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The committee then needed a new objective, setting a long-term goal to make a difference in the community and bring people together. In early September 2020, the committee adopted its current name, further publicizing its new mission.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat we\u2019re basically trying to say is that [unity in the community] is self-explanatory,\u201d Youngblood said. \u201cWe hope that the clergy, the elected officials, the community, will come together as a whole to bring unity in the community through dialogues and open discussions so that we can discuss some of the issues that are present and hopefully get them resolved, and to be more effective in our community.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The committee\u2019s message and importance have shown given the incidents of racial injustice across the country. In 2020, the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, among several others, sparked outrage and protests nationwide.<\/p>\n<p>One committee member is Ansonia Police Chief Andrew Cota, who after the killing of Floyd in Minneapolis, Minn., wrote a statement to Ansonia citizens via social media, with the city\u2019s large African American population in mind. According to the World Population Review in October 2020, African Americans make up just under 15 percent of Ansonia\u2019s population.<\/p>\n<p>According to The New Haven Register, Cota said in the statement: \u201cI say to all of you, without a doubt, that this is not what the men and women of the Ansonia Police Department stand for or represent. We denounce these actions.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Ansonia currently has numerous officers within the department that are members or involved in the committee, bringing a focus on community policing. For Cota, an advantage of the committee\u2019s message he said is because it comes from different demographics.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s not just one voice speaking &#8211; it\u2019s multiple voices,\u201d said Cota. \u201cAt this point, we\u2019ve had the police department, we\u2019ve had the superintendent of schools, we have pastors and reverends from churches throughout The Valley. That shows that we\u2019re committed to it \u2013 it\u2019s not just one piece, one person answering all the questions \u2013 that we\u2019re looking for a Valley-wide, especially for us an Ansonia-wide, community conversation to sort through these issues and hopefully allow people to talk about things.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>For the committee, there is still far more to accomplish than just the bust. However, the initiative being made now is about spreading a positive message of unity throughout The Valley.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">\u201cWhat we really want to inspire people with is change,\u201d said David Morgan, CEO of TEAM Inc. \u201cChange that influences our behaviors, actions and policies, that ensure equity and opportunity for all in all works of life.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>By Mia Bonadies, Sam Tapper and Jared Rhodes, SCSU Journalism Students<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Who We AreWe are a group of residents within the Valley whose mission is to memorialize the transformative legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and to inspire the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_price":"","_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"0","_ticket_start_date":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":false,"_tribe_ticket_use_global_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_global_stock_level":"","_global_stock_mode":"","_global_stock_cap":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_going_count":"","_tribe_ticket_not_going_count":"","_tribe_tickets_list":"[]","_tribe_ticket_has_attendee_info_fields":false,"footnotes":"","_tec_slr_enabled":"","_tec_slr_layout":""},"class_list":["post-4224","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.8 - 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