Student from MLK Elementary listen to speakers at the Unity Celebration.
TOLEDO, OH -- The City of Toledo came together Monday to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
For the tenth annual Unity Celebration, crowds gathered at UT's Savage Arena to learn and be inspired by the great American leader.
With every voice lifted and a crowd of multi-colored faces, it was a scene Dr. King himself would have enjoyed.
"The meaning of MLK Day is service, community is all embedded in our program and I think that this day really embodies that," said Shanda Gore, MLK Unity Program Co-Chair.
"I have a dream," he said. And I, attempting to emulate him in a small way, I wish to say a few words about what it is to have a dream," said University of Toledo President Dr. Lloyd Jacobs.
Local leaders took the microphone to bring new life to Dr. King's words and to relate them to today's environment.
"It takes faith and courage to remain non-violent in the face of violence or to remain loving in a climate of hatred. But that is just what Dr. King taught us," said U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, (D)- 9th District.
The hope is that people would leave the celebration and themselves make change.
"See it's very easy to talk about Martin Luther King today and walk out of this room and go back to just doing it the way you've been doing it. But see it is all in action that we are able to turn things around," said Mayor Mike Bell, (I)- Toledo.
And while part of the goal was to inspire a new generation in a way it is also that new generation that inspires as a demonstration by boys at MLK Elementary proved.