The Rev. Jesse Jackson, Grammy Award-winning singer Anthony Hamilton and songstress Melanie Fiona were among those who gathered in Detroit to celebrate the birthday of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the annual Let Freedom Ring Awards ceremony. The event was held at Cobo Center on Monday, Jan. 15. The presence of Black excellence filled the venue, as both Hamilton and Fiona graced the audience with their soulful melodic voices. Other special guests included Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, City Council President Brenda Jones, Judge Greg Mathis, and pastor Solomon Kinloch. The honorees for the evening included Bankole Thompson, Dr. Mark Schlissel, Flint Mayor Karen Weaver, and Bishop Desmond Tutu. The event was held during the Detroit annual automotive show and was sponsored by Rainbow Push Coalition and C.E.F. (Citizenship Education Fund).
Take a look at some of the event photos below.
Photo gallery credit: Eric Hobson