BROOKINGS Monday was a monumental day on both the national and local scenes.
In both instances the weather ruled and brutal winter cold forced ceremonies indoors: Inauguration Day, with the swearing in of Donald J. Trump as the 47th president of the United States, was moved to the Rotunda of the Capitol in Washington. Here at home in Brookings, the third annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Rally and Marade was moved to Club 71 in the Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium on the campus of South Dakota State University.
The below-zero temp and biting cold did not deter about 300 local residents and students from attending. Also present were several town-and-gown representatives, including Deputy Mayor Nick Wendell and SDSU President Barry Dunn.
A great, great turnout, said Marjoanne Collins, assistant director of Multicultural Affairs and Accessibility at Student Services Support, and a key organizer of the event. Today was very successful and a true testament to our local community in Brookings and SDSU as far as wanting the place to be more inclusive and build a sense of belonging. It was great to see community members here, athletes here, coaches here braving the cold and joining us for that lap to march around the track inside.
Forced to move indoors, the Marade was four laps on the SJAC track.
Keynote at the Rally that preceded the Marade was Jahmal Cole, founder and executive director of My Block, My Hood, My City, which marks its 10th anniversary this year.
Were based on the Southside of Chicago, Cole said. Our mission statement is To take care of people no matter what. If theres a snowstorm, we shovel snow for seniors; if theres a heat wave, we deliver water and fans to seniors. We take teenagers on field trips to expose them to things outside their neighborhood.
Cole, a native of the Southside, got his start in community action in 2015: I started volunteering at the county jail.
Contact John Kubal at [email protected].
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