2009 MLK Speaker

Susan L. Taylor
Editor Emerita of Essence Magazine / Founder, National Cares Mentoring Movement

Susan L. Taylor is synonymous with Essence magazine, the brand she builtas its fashion and beauty editor, as editor-in-chief and editorial director. For 27 years she authored of one of the magazine's most popular columns, In the Spirit. For nearly three decades, as the driving force behind one of the most celebrated Black-owned businesses of our time, Taylor has become a legend in the magazine publishing world.

InsideOut Detroit's City Wide Poets perform a one-of-a-kind poem

Net proceeds benefit Adopt-a-Classroom

Net proceeds from the luncheon will support Adopt-a-Classroom. Adopt-a-Classroom is a nationally recognized organization that invites the community into classrooms to increase opportunity for student success by empowering teachers with community partnerships and funds to purchase resources for their classrooms. Wayne State University will form relationships with specific classrooms in our community and provide financial and moral support. We believe our efforts will result in a meaningful contribution to K-12 education in Detroit. Our goal in 2009 is to support 10 Detroit classrooms.
Click here to see the classrooms we've helped.

Community Leadership Award Winners

• COLIN HUBBELL (posthumously)
  A lifelong Detroiter and community leader, Colin Hubbell worked tirelessly to revitalize the city and build stronger communities and neighborhoods. He was employed by the City of Detroit for 13 years, first as a civil servant and eventually as Deputy Director of the Civic Center Department during the Archer Administration.

• REVEREND FAITH FOWLER
  Rev. Fowler has served as the Senior Pastor of Cass Community United Methodist Church and Executive Director of Cass Community Social Services since 1994. Cass Community Social Services (CCSS) is a human service agency that works with the hungry, homeless, seniors, unemployed, "at-risk" youth, the mentally ill, developmentally disabled, persons with HIV/AIDS and Alzheimer's, and operates two free medical clinics. Click here for information on Cass Community Social Services.

• HUSH HOUSE
  Hush House offers leadership training, programs for homeless and low-income families, space for community meetings, and operates a Black history museum.