The March
Starts from Washington Center at 11:00 am
Goes through Downtown to the DECC
The Rally
Begins at 11:45 am
DECC Auditorium
Featuring Dr. Janet Hayes, UMD
Dr. Janet Haynes is an international scholar specializing in issues of social justice with an emphasis on marginalized youths and families. She holds a Masters of Social Work and a PhD in education from McGill University in Canada. Her area of research interest focuses on systemic discrimination and its impact on people of African descent, particularly males. A primary concern is the school/prison pipeline that is being created due to the existing collaboration between schools, police and youth protection systems which currently threatens the survival and stability of the Black family structure. Dr. Haynes recently co-authored a book that examined the various factors at the individual, school and family levels that contribute to truancy and the impact truancy has on educational achievements and educational outcomes.
Her passion for advocacy is fueled by the multi-level nature of systemic discrimination that is often aimed at Black families who are economically disadvantaged. Dr. Haynes further argues that it is not good enough for us to talk about social injustice without taking action steps aimed at bringing about systemic change. She states that “the idea of only talking about social injustice and its symptoms without ever having to take action reflects a privileged perspective. While some of us talk social justice, those on the margins who live with injustice seek justice through action”. She feels that such far reaching systemic change requires collective effort and action”. Due to her commitment to social justice and change she has dedicated her personal/professional life to social action leading to the overall improvement of Black youths and families in Duluth.
Dr. Haynes will be addressing members of the Duluth community, including professionals, especially those servicing African American youths and families, community leaders, parents and youths in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his struggle for equality and justice.
The program will be emceed by Airel Pendelton, a student at Denfield High School and Shamika Hopkins, a student at East. The program will also include:
Jacob Vainio will be performing "What a Wonderful World." He is an 8th grader at Marshall School. He is a proud African American, Finnish American, and an enrolled tribal member of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. He is an accomplished piano player and composer. He also plays guitar and trombone. He has been to every MLK, Jr. Breakfast, March and Rally for the past 11 years. He is the son of Arne Vainio, M.D. and Ivy Vainio.
Bill Gonseth - Acting Superintendent of ISD #709
Majur Atraktion Dill Team from Neighborhood Youth Services.
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