A Note from the Publisher: A Season of Courage
BY YANICE CARTER
Dr. King did not dream of applause. He dreamed of alignment.
Alignment between what we say and how we live.Between what we hope for and what we build.Between justice on paper and justice in practice.
This week, as we honor his life, we also honor the everyday leaders who carry that quiet courage forward, the teachers who refuse to give up on a child, the elders who still speak truth even when it shakes the room, and the families who love loudly in a world that sometimes forgets how.
We also pause to honor Mr. Leatherwood, whose legacy reminds us that greatness is not measured by titles but by how people
LARRY LEE LEATHERWOOD
With heavy hearts, The Chronicle News honors the life and legacy of Larry Leatherwood, a Lansing legend whose impact will be felt for generations.
Mr. Leatherwood was a longtime Lansing resident and a 30-year retiree of the State of Michigan, having served in numerous senior-level public service roles. His career reflected a deep commitment to equity, ethical leadership, and effective governance.
Mr. Leatherwood retired from the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT),
where he served as a liaison officer, and previously held the role of Director of Minority Business for the Michigan Department of Commerce, advocating for opportunity and inclusion at the state level.
A lifelong learner, Mr. Leatherwood was a proud graduate of Kellogg Community College and Western Michigan University, earning his Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) with a focus on
Parents, students, school staff members, and others are encouraged to nominate outstanding public-school educators for the Michigan Lottery’s 2025-26 Excellence in Education awards.
All public-school employees may be nominated for the Excellence In Education awards, which recognize educators who go “above and beyond” to make a
The Legacy of Dr. Mar tin Luther King Jr
Black History
Martin Luther King Jr Social Activist, Philosopher
Original name:
Michael King, Jr. Born: January 15, 1929, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Died: April 4, 1968, Memphis, Tennessee (aged 39) Awards And Honors: Grammy Award (1970) Nobel Prize (1964) Notable Works: “I Have a Dream” Notable Family Members:
Spouse: Coretta Scott King, Children: Yolanda, Martin III, Dexter and Bernice King
BY YANICE Y. CARTER
Martin Luther King Jr (born Michael King Jr.; January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968),
was a Baptist Minister and social activist who had a massive impact on the civil rights movement of the 1950s in the United States. He was one of the most prominent leaders in the civil rights movement from 1955 until his assassination in 1968. Had He lived, King would be turning 95 years old.
His leadership was fundamental to that movement’s success in ending the legal segregation of African Americans in the South and other parts of the United States. King rose to national prominence as head of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, which promoted nonviolent tactics, such as the massive March on Washington (1963), to achieve civil rights. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.
Every third Monday of January, the United States observes Martin
Luther King Jr. Day holiday to honor the life and legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This year Martin Luther Day for 2024 falls on Monday, January 15th, which is the actual birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. In 1983, President Ronald Regan signed the Day into law, and three years later it was first observed.
Congress passed a bill to dedicate the national holiday as a National Day of Service in 1994. The King Holiday and Service Act was introduced by Congressman John Lewis and Senator Harris Wofford. Both men worked alongside Dr. King in civil rights activism.
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A Chat with History-The Life of Civil Rights Activist Fred L. Shuttleworth
BY J. ISAAC NOEL BENJAMIN, II
ICan't imagine what it would be like to wake up one day and realize you are the wife of Mosses.
Such was the realization of Dr. Sephira Bailey Shuttlesworth, wife of the late Rev. Fred L. Shuttleworth. "You have to understand, that what we know as the Civil Rights Movement, was, in fact, a mandate from God," Shuttleworth stated. "My husband, Fred, was just an ordinary man on an extraordinary mission.
" As a journalist, I pinched myself and concluded that I was very fortunate. Right place, right time and all that. Dr. Shuttleworth granted a first-hand eye witness account of living history complete with firsthand never-before-seen pictures to publish. Moreover, as an objective journalist, I do not qualify history as black or white. I verify that the historical account did happen and that it is an accurate account. History is history, black, white or purple. What follows is a firsthand account of history from a person who lived and survived from inside of the turmoil that became a na-
tional struggle for equality.
Rev. Fred L. Shuttlesworth was born as Freddie Lee Robinson, and he took the name of his stepfather, William N. Shuttlesworth. He was married to Ruby Keeler Shuttlesworth, with whom he had four children: Patricia Shuttlesworth Massengill, Ruby Shuttlesworth Bester, and Fred L. Shuttlesworth Jr.
Rev Fred L Shuttlesworth, teamed up with Rev. Ralph Abernathy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the concept of a non-violent movement was born. Their partnership and steadfast conviction to duty helped changed the world. Rev. Shuttlesworth was a storied civil rights leader who survived beatings and bombings in racially impaired Alabama. He stood tall as he fought against racial injustice alongside other African Americans. "History talks a lot about what Dr. King did," Dr. Shuttlesworth notes, "however, there was quite a bit of planning and strategy that went into organizing such a movement. Dr. King did not do this by himself."
Fred Shuttlesworth was a child of poor black Alabama whose ministerial degree was from an unaccredited black school He later earned a master’s degree in education from Alabama State College. Fred Shuttlesworth civil rights activist, minister. Fred Shuttlesworth is receiving overdue recognition.
Courtesy Photo from Dr. Sephira B. Shuttleworth. Pictured are (L to R) Sir Desmond Mpilo Tutu and Rev. Fred L. Shuttleworth
Embodying the Spirit of Martin Luther King Jr YearRound Through Action and Community Engagement
Martin Luther King Jr. is often remembered on one day each year, but his vision for equality and justice calls for continuous commitment. His legacy challenges us to live out principles of courage, leadership, service, and unity every day. This post explores how individuals and communities can honor Dr. King’s ideals beyond the annual holiday. Through personal stories, local initiatives, and reflections from diverse voices, we will uncover practical ways to keep his spirit alive throughout the year.
Living Dr. King's Principles Every Day
Dr. King’s message was not meant to be confined to a single day of remembrance. His call for justice and equality requires ongoing action. To embody his principles, individuals can:
• Practice empathy and respect in daily interactions, recognizing the dignity of every person.
• Speak out against injustice whenever it appears, whether in schools, workplaces, or neighborhoods.
• Engage in community service that supports marginalized groups and fosters inclusion.
• Educate themselves and others about civil rights history and current social issues.
• Support policies and leaders who promote fairness
and equal opportunity.
These actions build a foundation for lasting change and reflect the courage Dr. King showed in standing up to inequality.
Reflections from Diverse Voices
Voices from diverse communities highlight the importance of continuous engagement with Dr. King’s ideals. Maria, a community organizer from Grand Rapids, Michigan, emphasizes that “honoring Dr. King means more than a day off. It means showing up every day for justice, even when it’s hard.”
James, a retired civil rights activist, reflects on the progress made and the work still ahead: “Dr. King
taught us that the arc of the moral universe bends toward justice, but only if we keep pushing it.”
These reflections remind us that the journey toward equality requires persistence, courage, and unity.
How to Make Dr. King's Legacy Part of Your Daily Life
To truly embody Dr. King’s spirit, consider these steps:
• Volunteer regularly with organizations that serve marginalized communities.
• Host or attend discussions on social justice topics to raise awareness.
• Support local businesses owned by people of color to promote economic equity.
• Mentor young people to encourage leadership and civic engagement.
• Practice nonviolent communication in conflicts to foster understanding.
Small, consistent actions can create ripple effects that strengthen communities and advance justice.
The Importance of Moving Beyond Commercial Celebrations
A More Perfect Union: Honoring the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
BY JUDGE WANDA STOKES
Each January, our nation pauses to honor the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a man whose dream called our country to live up to its founding promise of equality and justice for all. His vision challenged America to look inward, to measure not only its progress but its principles, and to build a future rooted in dignity and mutual respect.
Dr. King believed deeply in the power of nonviolence, faith, and civic responsibility. He understood that lasting change is
not achieved through anger or division, but through courage, conviction, and compassion. His words and actions paved the way for monumental advances in civil rights, voting rights, and equal opportunity achievements that transformed the character of our nation.
Today, as we look around us, we continue to benefit from the doors his movement opened. We see progress reflected in the diverse voices shaping our communities, in the laws that protect equity, and in the growing recognition that justice must be both fair and accessible. Yet, Dr. King also reminded us that freedom is a con-
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stant struggle, one requiring vigilance, empathy, commitment, and resolve.
As we celebrate his birthday, let us do more than remember Dr. King’s dream; let us live it. Let us commit ourselves to treating one another with respect, ensuring fairness in our institutions, and strengthening the common bonds that unite us as Americans. In that pursuit, we honor not only his legacy but the enduring ideal of a more perfect union.
Judge Wanda M. Stokes 30th Circuit Court, Ingham County
Community mural in Lansing celebrating Martin Luther King Jr.
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Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebrations Across Michigan
A Guide to Reflection, Service, and Community
Each January, communities across Michigan pause not just to remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but to recommit to the work he left in our hands. From keynote lectures and community dinners to service projects and cultural celebrations, these events honor a legacy that still calls us forward.
Greater
Lansing & Mid-Michigan
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Celebration
• Location: Lansing
• Venue: Lansing Center
• Date: Monday, January 19
• Time: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Overview:
The region’s flagship MLK observance brings together civic leaders, educators, artists, and community members for a powerful program
centered on justice, unity, and service.
Michigan State University MLK Commemorative Celebration Series
• Location: Michigan State University
• Dates: January 15–26
Overview:
A multi-day series featuring lectures, cultural performances, service projects, and community dialogue. Events take place across campus and are open to the public.
Lansing Community College MLK Community Celebration
• Location: Lansing Community College
• Date: Tuesday, January 20
• Time: 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Overview:
An evening program of reflection and celebration highlighting Dr. King’s message through speakers, music, and shared community expe-
rience.
MLK Day Family Activity Events
• Location: Greater Lansing
• Date: Monday, January 19
Overview:
Several family-friendly venues across the region host MLK Day activities, offering a lighter but intentional way for families to spend the holiday together.
Statewide Michigan Celebrations
University of Michigan MLK Symposium
• Location: Ann Arbor
• Venue: Hill Auditorium
• Date: Monday, January 19
• Time: 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
MSU Women’s Basketball: now 2-1 in Big Ten play
BY TOBIAS WEBB
The Spartans survived a tough matchup with Rutgers to end 2025 and notched a dominant win against the Indiana Hoosiers to kick off 2026, making it into January with only one loss on the season. In December they took home two trophies, from the Cherokee Invitational and the Nassau Championship, with notable wins over Clemson, and a 15th ranked Ole Miss. Their one loss came in the Big Ten opener against Wisconsin, in Madison. The shots were not falling for the Spartans that day, and the Badgers shot 46 percent from deep, ending the Spartans’ 8 game winning streak to start the season. The Wisconsin defense has been formidable all year, holding teams like Marquette, Ole Miss, and our Spartans, to less than 40 percent shooting from the field. Against MSU also they man-
aged to stay even in the turnover margin, neutralizing the Spartans’ greatest strength. The Rutgers game was too close for comfort, as the Scarlet Knights kept things close until
the very end. They came to the Breslin Center with a reputation of playing big, averaging 15 offensive rebounds a game, and ranking eighth best in the nation for second chance scoring. In the first half they dominated us on the boards, much to coach Fralick’s chagrin, but the Spartans rebounded better in the second half and ended with 19 offensive boards of our own. That, paired with 25 forced turnovers, gave MSU 15 more field goal opportunities than Rutgers, which were much needed, because our shooting was off, particularly from deep.
The Spartans led by a narrow margin for most of the game, but Rutgers managed to pull ahead in the middle of the 3rd quarter. At that point
Fralick called a timeout to calm down her team as they were starting to look a bit frantic. Kennedy Blair and Rashunda Jones came out of that huddle with a new energy, basically refusing to lose, with Jones attacking the rim, firing up the crowd with multiple and-1s, and Blair taking her defense to a new level, grabbing a steal for an easy bucket to retake the lead, and swatting down a pivotal block in the 4th quarter. The Spartans still couldn’t pull away as some uncharacteristic turnovers allowed Rutgers to
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Photo credit: Alfred Laurence, Beige Planet Photography
EMERSON GREEN, Episode 1: Small Steps, Big Change A Comic Strip by Al Smith of Purpix Media
BY AL SMITH
EMERSON GREEN is more than a comic, it is a memory brought to life.
Created by filmmaker and educator Al Smith, founder of One Day Film Skool, this project blends childhood nostalgia with modern creativity. Using AI tools like Microsoft Copilot, refined through Photoshop and polished with OpenArt, Al transforms technology into tenderness. What began as a personal escape became a visual love letter to the streets, sounds, and small moments that shaped him.
For Al, storytelling is not just a craft, it is care. He teaches it, lives it, and now draws it. Emerson Green stands as proof that healing can look like art, and joy can live inside a comic strip.
Every movement starts somewhere. Sometimes it starts with a walk.
In the debut episode of Emerson Green,
Al introduces us to a world where growth is not flashy, it is faithful. A simple stroll through the neighborhood becomes a lesson in consistency, care, and choosing progress over perfection.
With warmth and humor, this first chapter reminds us that real change is not born from grand speeches or New Year promises. It is built in daily habits, quiet discipline, and the courage to keep showing up even when no one is clapping yet.
Emerson Green opens not with a bang, but with a heartbeat. Steady. Honest. Moving forward.
Sometimes growth wears a hoodie and takes a walk. Sometimes purpose shows up panel by panel. And sometimes, the best stories come from people who never stopped loving where they came from.
This is how legacy begins. One step at a time.
public policy analysis. In 1985, he was selected as a Senior Executive Fellow at Harvard University, participating in advanced public policy and governmental operations training.
Beyond his government service, Mr. Leatherwood continued to shape leadership across Michigan. He served as President of Larry Leatherwood & Associates, providing training and consultation to locally elected school board
members, and as an Adjunct Consultant with the Michigan Association of School Boards for more than 16 years, delivering ethics and governance training to public officials statewide.
Most notably, Mr. Leatherwood was the founder of Uplift Our Youth Foundation, established in 2002. Through this work, the foundation awarded more than $140,000 to Lansing-area organizations serving at-risk youth, with
feel safer, stronger, and more seen because you existed.
The work of justice is not loud every day. Sometimes it looks like service. Sometimes it looks like patience. Sometimes it looks like choosing love when bitterness would be easier.
Dr. King showed us the way. Our community shows us the continuation.
May this issue remind us that leadership is not reserved for history books; it lives in kitchens, classrooms, churches, boardrooms, and quiet acts of courage every single day.
With purpose, Yanice Y. Carter
a focus on education and the arts. He didn’t just speak about uplifting young people, he invested in them.
Throughout his career, Mr. Leatherwood received numerous local, state, and federal recognitions for his service and leadership. Yet his greatest legacy lives in the people he mentored, the institutions he strengthened, and the young lives he helped guide toward possibility.
difference in the lives of children. To nominate a public school educator, go to https://www.michiganlottery. com/excellence-in-education.
The Michigan Lottery established the Excellence in Education awards in 2014 to recognize outstanding public-school educators across the state during the school year. One outstanding educator will be selected each week and will receive a $2,000 cash prize. At the end of the school year, one of these weekly award winners will be se-
lected to receive the Lottery’s Educator of the Year award and will receive a $10,000 cash prize. The winner of the 2025 Educator of the Year award was Kelly Herberholz, a science teacher and administrative intern with Dakota High School in Macomb.
Hundreds of educators were nominated during the 2024-25 school year, which was the 11th year of the Excellence in Education awards program. Thirty-four of these nominees, including Herberholz, were selected
Mr. Leatherwood passed away on Friday. His loss is deeply felt across Lansing and beyond.
Lansing is better because he was here.
His legacy lives on in every life he helped lift.
— The Chronicle News
We invite the community to share memories and reflections in honor of Mr. Leatherwood.
to win a weekly award.
Previous winners of the Educator of the Year award:
• 2024 – Samantha TwoCrow, the director of the Indigenous Education Program for Suttons Bay Public Schools in Suttons Bay.
• 2023 – Kathryn Kluzak, a kindergarten teacher with Robert L. Green Elementary in East Scan to read full story
