Markeshia Ricks Photo
Veteran firefighter Erika Bogan loves telling children, especially girls, about what it’s like to be a firefighter. And she’s passing that passion on to new firefighters like Shy Floyd.
Both women were holding court with a group of 7‑year-olds Monday during the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr conference at Wexler-Grant Community School.
People braved extreme cold and ice for the 50th year of the conference that celebrates the civil rights leader’s life with a day on rather than a day off. The first conference was held Jan. 15, 1969, on the same block at the former (and future) Dixwell Community “Q” House.
African-American professionals like Bogan and Floyd come each year to share their expertise on topics ranging from fire safety to public speaking skills. The female firefighters are two of 14 women in the department.
Bogan and Floyd helped youngsters learn about what to do if they’re ever in a fire. The women, who are based at the Lighthouse Road and East Grand firehouses, respectively, also did a little show and tell, and a little dress up. After having Floyd show the students how firefighters get in gear, Bogan also showed them her hat and explained the many stickers she has on it.
In addition to Sponge Bob, there’s a Wonder Woman sticker and a “No Whining” sticker, she said “because sometimes there’s a lot of whining.” Yandel, 7, (pictured above with Bogan) was the first to step up and try on Bogan’s gear. He learned pretty quickly that it’s heavy.
Firefighter Darnell Tucker, who has been with the city fire department for five years, is based at the Dixwell firehouse. He invited the children and their parents to drop by the station for a tour any time.
The annual MLK celebration draws in children from all over the city with opportunities to get fit with yoga and Zumba and to brush up on their tie-tying and public speaking skills. Adults also often stick around for tips on topics like funeral planning and financial literacy.
This year they had the opportunity to create art with Wexler-Grant art teacher Rebecca LeQuire, trying their hands at creating black and white paintings of King, Malcolm X, Nelson Mandela, Rosa Parks, and Barack Obama.
They also met some of the people representing them at the state and federal levels. Gov. Ned Lamont, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, and U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal dropped in on Monday to meet event organizers like Sondi Jackson, who chairs the event, and other volunteers who help make it happen.
The Theta Epsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha spearheads the event each year with the support of the Elm City Club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Epsilon Iota Iota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., the Eureka Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa Delta Phi Chapter, Pi Lambda Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta, and the New Haven Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta.
Workshops weren’t the only items on the menu. There was time for shopping with artist Jo-Ann Thompson-Claybourne…
… time for games …
… picking up a few books from New Haven Reads …
… taking pictures…
…learning how to have better interactions between the police and the community with schools security chief Thaddeus Reddish …
… dancing …
… getting a haircut …
… and taking a pretend nap.
They also met some of the people representing them at the state and federal levels. Gov. Ned Lamont, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, and U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal dropped in on Monday to meet event organizers like Sondi Jackson, who chairs the event, and other volunteers who help make it happen.
If Dr.king was here today he would have march on these same Public figures and Judas Goat leaders.Most who have help to sell out poor and working class people.Even Dr. King said
Both political parties have betrayed the cause of justice. The Democrats have betrayed it by capitulating to the prejudice, and undemocratic practices of the Southern Dixiecrats . The Republicans have betrayed it by capitulating to the blatant hypocrisy of the right wing reactionary Northerners-----DR. KING
learning how to have better interactions between the police and the community with schools security chief Thaddeus Reddish ...
Should it not be that the police should be the one"s who must learning how to have better interactions with the community.Just look around. Also He should have told the children that Dr.King said this.
We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality," Martin Luther King, Jr. said during his address at the March on Washington in 1963. "We want an immediate end to police brutality and murder of black people,"
Policing the Police: A Civil Rights Story
by SARAH BRADY SIFF
http://origins.osu.edu/article/policing-police-civil-rights-story
My bad. I see a picture of Brother MALCOLM X.How come Black Leaders are afraid to celebrate MALCOLM X. birthday the way they celebrate Dr.king's. birthday ?