Tonight, DTE Energy employees are being offered a private screening of the documentary, “Walk With Me,” which celebrates the extraordinary life and career of Detroit’s own federal Judge Damon Keith. If you are unfamiliar, I would encourage you to discover one of our city’s remarkable leaders. The film takes a look at America’s journey from segregation to electing the first African American president through his eyes. Visit here if you are interested in learning more on the film and the man who inspired it.

In addition, this Friday, Wayne State University hosts its annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute at the Max M. Fisher Music Center. The tribute brings together the metro Detroit community to celebrate and honor the life and legacy of Dr. King. This year’s keynote speaker is Van Jones, and you can click here for more information. Because DTE helps sponsor this event, we are able to invite groups of students from Detroit Public Schools and bus them on Friday to attend and participate in this event. The two schools participating this year with DTE are Randolph Technical High School and Detroit Collegiate Prep at Northwestern High School, which also happens to be the alma mater of Judge Damon Keith.

MLK Day is one of the most unique holidays in the calendar year, not just because of its namesake, but because of its stated mission and purpose. It has grown beyond a federal holiday honoring Dr. King into a national day of community service. Throughout my life, and continuing with Challenge Detroit, I have come to know that volunteering brings you into such cool, fun, and unique spaces that offer experiences unlike any other. Giving your time and efforts to a worthy cause brightens your day as much as it does to the people you’re intending to support. I would encourage everyone to explore ways to participate in serving, on MLK Day or any other.