Mayor Lori Lightfoot celebrated the birthday of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Friday by initiating healing talks in the community at the city’s 35th annual interfaith celebration.
Lightfoot commended Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, keynote speaker for the virtual event, for her efforts to overcome racial and economic differences in her city, which “set an example” for the country.
Bottoms said the fight for racial justice is an ongoing one.
“The murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and so many others are a reminder that the lynching of Emmett Till is not just the story of our past,” Bottoms said.
“We have all been reminded that creating the beloved community that Dr. King dreamed is still a dream worth pursuing. A society based on justice, equal opportunities and love for fellow human beings. “
Lightfoot urged Chicagoans to reflect on the city’s progress toward racial justice. She said it was especially important after a year that many felt they had “lost ground” in their pursuit of justice and equality.
Chicago should embrace King’s vision of unity and healing, Lightfoot added, calling on the city to come together and support one another during the COVID-19 crisis.
“The battle is in our hands,” said Lightfoot, quoting King. “Overall, the road is not smooth. … But we have to go on. “
Lightfoot presented an inaugural Chicago Community Healer Award to three local organizations – the Chicago Community Trust, the YWCA Metropolitan Chicago, and the Lawndale Christian Health Center – for their commitment to upholding King’s legacy and working towards a better future for Chicagoans.
Helene Gayle, President and CEO of the Chicago Community Trust, introduced the organization’s Changemakers Network, a scholarship program that focuses on bridging the gaps between race and ethnic wealth in the city.
The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately struck color communities in Chicago and across the country, widening the city’s wealth gap, Gayle said. Because of this, the organization is focused on bridging this void and taking major relief efforts to meet important needs emerging from the pandemic.
“We believe that by empowering communities and giving voice and building collective power, we can create lasting change with the community at the center,” said Gayle.
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