2021 Lenawee County MLK Community Service Award
My name is De’Angelo L. Boone. I am a native of Detroit Michigan. I am the oldest child of six. I was raised by my grandparents. Graduated from Pershing High School in Detroit Michigan and went on to obtain my Bachelors of English and Philosophy (with cognates in Theatre and Education) from Michigan State University. I have, also, obtained a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Siena Heights University.
I am the Community Outreach Manager for Habitat for Humanity of Lenawee County. I am a member of the Human Relations Commission, the A3 (All About Adrian) Resident Coalition, Vice- President of the Community Action Agency Advisory Board, member of the CAA Board, Blight Action Committee member, and I attend numerous service organization meetings and work diligently to serve our community.
As a member of the Habitat for Humanity staff, I oversee the Neighborhood Revitalization work, which has a focus on the Historic East Adrian community. Our goal is to assist residents in building a sense of community, social cohesion, and collective action. Through Habitat for Humanity’s neighborhood revitalization work, we tailor our efforts by partnering locally with residents and community leaders, and organizations to best address real concerns and improve the lives of the people who live in the neighborhood.
I moved to Adrian Michigan in August of 2002. A few years after my move to Adrian Michigan I obtained custody of my youngest sister and brother. I, also, assisted in the raising of two young men, whom I accept as my sons.
I am the founder and leader of the City of Refuge Ministries International. I am the Overseer of the CRM Meal Assistance Program. Our Meal Assistance Program has served over 2,400 households since its establishment in March of 2020 (including migrant workers and Covid positive families/individuals).
I am the author of the works “Let Talkers Talk” and “If I had Told You.” I am currently working on my newest book “Words Unspoken.” I currently mentor numerous youth and young adults. I have a wonderful staff that works alongside me in the ministry and we seek to build the ministry and offer services to assist the community. My goal for our community is to see it operate at its best, providing services, opportunities, and safety for all of its residents.
2021 Lenawee County MLK Jackson College
At a young age, Vincent Hill decided he wanted something better for his life. His journey continues at Jackson College, where he is a first-year student.
Hill has lived in Nashville, Tenn., and went to high school in Atlanta, Ga., graduating in 2019. It was while he was in Nashville that his class took a trip to Memphis, Tenn., to see the National Civil Rights Museum. The museum includes the Lorraine Hotel, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was killed. Learning about the history of race from slavery to the Civil Rights era and visiting the very spot where Dr. King was shot opened his eyes to the race situation. During high school, he was involved with the Black Student Union.
Vincent moved to Hillsdale, Mich., a year ago and heard about Jackson College from a neighbor. Because of a close relationship with a manager he had, he chose to study business administration. This manager taught him a lot about business firsthand, piquing his interest in leadership and managing different situations. Vincent plans to someday open his own business and build it up; “I like progress,” he said.
Putting his heart into his writing, Hill’s story and influence stayed with his Jackson College writing instructor. In his class sessions, Vincent brings a unique perspective and diverse views to discussions. He challenges his peers to deeper thought and possesses an uncommon ability to connect life and learning for himself and others. Coupled with his drive for success, he is more than deserving of this honor. A remarkable future awaits this young man.
2021 Lenawee County MLK Adrian College
Markeva Love, from Kalamazoo, MI, is a senior at Adrian College double majoring in biology and philosophy of law. During her time at AC, Markeva ran Track, joined the sorority Alpha Phi, served as a part of the executive trio for the President’s Advisory Board, as well as on the Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity Committee and a plethora of other committees. She plans to further her studies in the area of either bioethics or biomedical ethics working in patient advocacy and potentially serving on an Ethics Board Committee.
2021 Lenawee County MLK Siena Heights University
Kendrick Green is a Senior at Siena Heights University, majoring in Political Science and Spanish. Originally from Flint, Michigan, Kendrick serves as the President of Men of Distinction, a male group on campus striving to change the African American male image on campus and in the community, and is also a Football team member. In his own words, Kendrick states that he comes from a blue-collar, hard-working family and knows that through with Jesus, hard work, dedication and education, he can do all things according to His word and be what he is called to do. After graduation, Kendrick plans to attend Law school. His ultimate goal is to become an Attorney and be a controlling partner in his firm. Kendrick’s passion for human rights and social justice was birthed through obstacles and events throughout his tenure in high school and personal life. Kendrick is honored to be the MLK Award recipient and plans to continue his service as a soldier for justice for all. He believes everyone deserves an equal opportunity for equity in life.
2021 Lenawee County MLK Lifetime Achievement
Emily Martinez was born in Texas in 1939 and moved to Blissfield, Michigan as a child. The oldest of ten children, Martinez came from a family with a long history of working as migrant farmers. Although her grandparents and parents grew up following the crop from La Feria, Texas to northern Michigan, Martinez’s parents ultimately settled in Blissfield in 1948 to raise their family. *
During this journey, Martinez became the “Family Interpreter”, Translating with bankers, lawyers, doctors, teachers, and retailers to name a few. At such a young age speaking and translating with adults made it a perfect training ground for a public speaker.
In transitioning from being migrant farmworkers to seasonal workers, Martinez’s family experienced racial discrimination in school, in attempting to purchase a home in a white neighborhood, and at work. Martinez, who was one of the first Hispanic students to graduate from Blissfield High School
in 1959, stood up for oppressed groups in all of these spaces, including the women in the steel factory in which she worked.
Martinez Graduated from the School of Aeronautics and Washington in 1962. Engaged she also found discrimination crossed her path as she was not allowed to wear her wedding band and work for the airlines at that time.
Just two months before Marriage while watching the news of a gentleman who was murdered down south by white supremacists, her fiancé told her a story of being asked to leave a Mexican Restaurant in Hawaii because there were no blacks allowed. Showing ID to prove he was indeed Hispanic and although the owners apologized and offered himself and all his friends a free meal, he was applauded.
Martinez and her fiancé heard about a march against Racism that was to be held on June 23, 1963, in Detroit Michigan. Sneaking off to Detroit and keeping quiet because they had no idea how it would be received by people in their community, they heard a speech from a young man they didn’t really know of, but a speech they would never forget from the Late Martin Luther King Jr.
Emily Martinez married Henry Navarro Martinez in 1963, and together they had five children. She continued working in the steel industry until the job became too dangerous. Having always wanted to work with disabled children, Martinez found new employment at the Lenawee Independent School District in 1970. While she was working, she also took classes and was certified by the Red Cross as a nurse, although she never completed her degree. Martinez devoted her time and energy to teaching students with disabilities and the children of migrant farmworkers, working to help show these historically marginalized students what they were capable of.
Martinez, together with Laura VanSickle worked for the Lenawee Intermediate School District with the Multicultural Programs. With the support of Dr. William Ross, Emilia was instrumental in establishing; The two student-driven committees of Hispanic and African
American students from Lenawee County public and private schools. These two student committees met and planned events such as their Senior Banquets, Martin Luther King Day, Black History Month, and many other community events they participated in.
Emilia was instrumental in establishing the Hispanic Heritage Month committee and planning out the month’s activities which included working with the community, Lenawee County Schools, and the City of Adrian for the Flag Raising ceremony.
- Emilia was very involved with the State of Michigan Commission on Spanish Speaking A2airs (COSSA).
- Emilia worked with the students to have a field trip to be able to go to Lansing Capital Building and meet with the members of COSSA.
- Emilia worked with the Mexican Consulate to help students/parents/families who were having issues/concerns with their passport, immigration paperwork, etc.
- Emilia worked very closely with the Migrant population. It was close to heart as it was from her humble beginnings.
- Emilia went out to the Migrant Camps and assisted them in whatever their needs may have been. She assisted in the establishment of the church services being brought to camps.
- Emilia worked with the students in Lenawee County Schools for Diversity activities for Black History Month and Martin Luther King Day celebrations.
- Emilia assisted with establishing the following Committees: Martin Luther King, Hispanic Heritage Month, Hispanic Senior Banquet (students), African American Senior Banquet (students), and she was also a member of the Lenawee County CMHA, COSSA, and worked with Ford Motor Company to support the Multicultural Programs. Martinez became a Commissioner for Spanish-speaking affairs for the state of Michigan. A founding member of LLEAD, instrumental in the walk with Cesar Chavez in Lenawee County, Marched in Washington DC with the boycott that was led by Cesar Chavez.
Emilia’s very last March was on the same streets of Detroit, walking behind the Reverend Jessie Jackson Lenawee county’s NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People).
2021 Lenawee County MLK Community Service Award
Claude Bevier is a pastor, CEO, recording artist & author of, The Blueprint, a man’s journey to self-discovery. As founder and lead pastor of Restore World Church, he and his wife have helped the church grow to reach hundreds of youth and adults alike. He is submitted and ordained under the leadership of Drs. Bill and Veronica Winston of Living Word Christian Center in Forest Park, Il. He has also been a member of Faith Ministry Alliance (FMA) since 2010. Pastor Claude and Rosie live in Adrian, MI. They also have 2 daughters, Nicole and Victoria who are both married to Darren Standifer and Michael Butler. They also have 4 grandchildren; Jordan, Favour, Flourish, and Major Standifer. Claude is also the founder of The Turn Challenge, which is a men’s ministry that teaches manhood from a biblical perspective. He is also the founder of Restore World Tour, a musical tour geared towards bridging the gap between generations