By WMBD TV
BLOOMINGTON – On Saturday, the City of Bloomington and the Town of Normal once again joined forces to host the 49th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Awards Luncheon.
“This is easily one of the longest-running MLK events in the nation. That is something that is to be showered upon with praise,” said Bloomington’s Community Relations Manager, Dr. Gregory Wilson.
Dr. Julianne Malveaux, President Emerita of Bennett College for Women, was this year’s keynote speaker.
“The thing that’s exciting about her is she was here in 2005. So almost exactly 20 years to the date,” said Wilson. “It’s a joint event led by the Normal Human Relations Commission and the Bloomington Human Relations Commission. Both commissions saw it fit to bring her back.”
After pooling through nominations, each municipality presents one youth and one adult winner.
Illinois State University’s Multicultural Center Director Dr. Christa Platt is the Town of Normal’s adult award recipient.
“I think it’s just a reflection of the heart that I have to serve,” said Platt. “And it feels good to know that what has been instilled in me, in the community that I come from is reflected in the work that I am doing, and other people are able to see that too. I mean, that’s no small thing.”
Platt’s experience working in higher education spans across two decades. She has been the multicultural center director since 2020.
“A lot of my work has really been about what it means to create spaces for those who often have been forced to the margins,” she said. “I work with college students and I have found joy in what it means to help them in the critical time of their lives to be able to see themselves and thrive and to have spaces where they are seen, known, valued and heard.”
Bloomington’s District 87 school board member Brigette Gibson was not only surprised to know she won, but she was also shocked to learn who nominated her.
“To be nominated by my superintendent, Dr. Mouser, was very surprising,” said Gibson. “To be so honest and transparent. I kind of shed some tears because you just don’t know when you’re moving around the community, just being who you are, who god has called you to be that other people noticed.”
State Farm brought Gibson to Bloomington in 1997. Community service is what keeps her staying. Gibson has been on the school board since 2016, is active with the Bloomington-Normal Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and is a court-appointed special advocate.
“Community service has always been a part of who I am. Immediately when I got into the community, there were so many things. Good work is happening in Bloomington-Normal. There’s lots of ways to get involved,” she said. “Primarily because of my children, working within the school district for sure but then seeing the greater need within the community being able to expand beyond the school district and do other things.”
Vedha Giriprakash and Benedicte Diamonika were the youth award recipients from Bloomington and Normal, respectively. Giriprakash is being recognized for working with non-profit organizations and starting her own non-profit.
“It means leadership, empathy. And he was overall, he’s obviously like a great person. He did an amazing job with his protests for civil rights and leadership and carrying out this peaceful protest, standing up for what he believed in, despite all the injustices that he faced. And I think that’s important to persevere through all those difficult times,” said Giriprakash.
Diamonika is being recognized for her work with food pantries and raising money for local charities in Normal. Both recipients said they were honored to receive such a prestigious award.
“I am honored to be receiving such a big award and to be receiving an award that represents Martin Luther King Jr,” said Diamonika.
As people go back to their day-to-day tasks, organizers hope the community understands the purpose of the event.
“It’s the message of hope, it’s a message of positivity for the future. How can we, how can we continue to move forward as a community. As one that loves on each other. One that is far from hate,” said Wilson.
WMBD News can be reached at [email protected].
