Mid-Michigan ‘MLK Day of Celebration’ earns an Emmy

Mid-Michigan ‘MLK Day of Celebration’ earns an Emmy

‘Labor of love’ broadcast honors Coretta King’s work in preserving MLK’s legacy

LANSING, Mich. – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Mid-Michigan has won an Emmy® Award for the broadcast of its 2021 “MLK Day of Celebration” honoring Dr. King’s legacy.

The 2021 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Celebration broadcast was the recipient of the 2021 Michigan Regional Emmy Award.

The award is for excellence for broadcast production in the historical/cultural category from the Michigan Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. It was presented at the chapter’s Emmy Award Show in Detroit.

Necessitated by the pandemic, the January 2021 broadcast was the first time in 36 years the commission transformed the annual event for television. Previously it was staged before a sold-out audience of up to 2,200 at the Lansing Center, Lansing.

Elaine Hardy, chair of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Mid-Michigan and Kevin Meyer, president of MiEntertainment Group Inc., pose with the 2021 Michigan Regional Emmy Award given for broadcast production excellence in the historical/cultural category from the Michigan Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

“Producing this show was a labor of love,” said Elaine Hardy, commission chair. “The replacement of our annual luncheon couldn’t just be a Zoom video conference — it had to be inspirational. And it had to amplify the message of our keynote guest, Dr. Bernice King. We’re honored and proud the quality and spirit of the program are recognized by others.”

Bernice King is a global civil rights activist and daughter of Dr. and Coretta Scott King. She spoke about her mother’s achievements in preserving MLK’s words and work through institutionalizing his legacy, including establishment of MLK Day. The national holiday allows for annual reflection on creating a more just, humane, equitable and peaceful society.

Hardy worked closely with Kevin Meyer, East Lansing, in developing the program. He’s a concert producer who has partnered with the commission on events for about a decade.

Over 100 people are listed in the show’s credits. The program was executive produced by the commission. The production team was led by MiEntertainment Group, Grand Rapids. Producers in addition to Meyer were Marshall Yoder and Dyan Yoder; Eric Nacke was video director; and Allen McAvoy was audio engineer.

The hour-long broadcast included segments that producers recorded in the Grand Rapids Captus Creative studios and Van Andel Arena; musical performers filmed at their locations; and elected officials submitted. Interwoven were iconic civil rights photographs.

Featured were Grammy award winners hip hop soul singer Musiq Soulchild and gospel artist Tasha Cobbs-Leonard; Michigan artists Rodney Page, Larry Trice Jr., Sharon Lawrence, Phil Denny, Larry Trice III; and Lansing’s Music of a Dream Orchestra. There was a salute to the commission’s sponsors.

The program aired on WILX TV 10-NBC, Lansing. It can be viewed at https://bit.ly/MLKCom-2021.

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences – Michigan Chapter represents experienced and talented television professionals.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Mid-Michigan works to support equality, diversity and social justice. It focuses on the area’s pressing issues of literacy, youth violence, hunger, mentoring, education and community enrichment. The nonprofit organization hosts speakers and concerts, supports community service agencies, and promotes youth initiatives, such as essay and art contests, college scholarships and an annual Y-Achievers tour for high school students. More information is at https://mlkmidmichigan.com or follow the commission on Facebook, @MLKCommOfMidMI, and Twitter, @MLKCommOfMidMI.

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