Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
MLK Council honors King’s legacy
Angela Mosley Monts
President, Northwest Arkansas Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Council Day job: Assistant vice chancellor for the Office for Diversity and Inclusion, University of Arkansas
Tell us about your organization: The impetus for the creation of the Northwest Arkansas
Dr. Martin
Luther King
Jr. Committee, now known as the NWA MLK Council, evolved from several brainstorming sessions in 1996 that were led by the late Rev. J. Aaron Hawkins along with John L Colbert, the late Ernestine White Gibson, Corey Cullins and Edith Hawkins. These sessions led to the decision to host an areawide Recommitment Banquet to honor
Dr. King and his legacy, where the committee would also present scholarships to two worthy students and recognize several outstanding community leaders who exemplified the leadership traits of Dr. King himself. In 2018, the Council funded 15 scholarships to high school seniors and college students. The Council recognized four individuals and one organization that carry on the mission of our Council.
■ Mission: To continue to advance and promote the dream, life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. which emphasizes love and action.
■ Services provided: Provide scholarships to high school seniors and college students, essay contests, college preparation workshops, community service projects and NWA Dream Keepers, a youth organization for those 12 to 19 years old focusing on continuing the dream of Dr. King as well as establishing their own dreams.
■ Service area: Benton, Madison and Washington counties.
How is your organization’s mission unique? Our mission is unique because our organization is built on love with action. We believe in education, unity, inclusion, diversity and equity for all individuals.
Why do you volunteer for a nonprofit organization? Do you have a personal connection to the mission? If so, what is it? I am truly honored to have the opportunity to serve as the president of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Council. The Council represents what it means to be a servant leader of Northwest Arkansas. I do have a personal connection to our mission and our core values. I truly believe in promoting the life and legacy of Dr. King. I also believe we each have been given a dream and a purpose we must fulfill.
What part of your job fills most of your time? Preparing for the annual Recommitment Banquet: Coordinating activities, working with each one of our volunteer chairs and making sure we are prepared for the all of the MLK holiday events. We have an awesome partnership with the University of Arkansas, our executive producer and platinum sponsor.
What have you learned on the job that you didn’t expect? I work with a unique volunteer leadership team. We are a cohesive group with each wanting to make sure we succeed at our mission and promoting our core values. I have learned in volunteer management to give an opportunity to every volunteer so each can demonstrate their talents. I have learned to be cognizant of volunteer work-life balance.
What challenges face your organization? As a nonprofit, we face some of the same obstacles as other nonprofits face. We have one major fundraiser each year, our annual Recommitment Banquet. Depending on the economy, our sponsorships may increase or decrease. The majority of our resources go directly to our scholarship program.
Are there volunteer opportunities in your organization? What are they? We always need additional volunteers to work with our NWA Dream Keepers program. Dr. John L Colbert is their advisor.
What upcoming fundraisers and/or other events does your organization have planned? We will celebrate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at our 23rd annual Recommitment Banquet at 7 p.m. Jan. 21 at the Fayetteville Town Center. The NWA Dream Keepers meet the second Sunday of each month at St. James Missionary Baptist Church. If you are interested in becoming a part of the NWA MLK Dream Keepers, complete the online form at nwamlk.org.