Tonight’s Master of Ceremonies, Sara Dady
6:00 pm Meet at City Market Pavillion
Jim Roberts – John Lewis: Selma, Significance of the Bridge, “Good Trouble”
6:15 pm March across State Street Bridge – Reflecting upon the events of the 1965 March led by John Lewis – and events in communities across the country representing the injustice that still exists in this county 60 years later.
On March 7, 1965, when then-25-year-old activist John Lewis led over 600 marchers across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama and faced brutal attacks by oncoming state troopers, footage of the violence collectively shocked the nation and galvanized the fight against racial injustice.
As a Symbol of this walk, attendees are encouraged to carry a stone as we march, a symbolism of Strength, foundation, perseverance—reflecting the “good trouble” Lewis advocated.
Place the stone at the pavilion at the completion of the march to represent our effort. These pieces will be used for a future project to commemorate this event and John Lewis.
6:45 pm National Anthem – Trinity Rucker
6:45 pm John Lewis Speech – Dorothy Paige Turner
6:50 pm “Lift Every Voice and Sing” the Black National Anthem – Dorothy Paige Turner
7:00 pm Speaker: Shelton Kay
7:10 pm Speaker: Christina Gloria –
7:15 pm Trinity Rucker Poem “America”
7:20 pm Speaker: Cornell Bondourant – Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity
7:25 pm Speaker: Dana Briggs – Common Defense
7:30 pm Speaker: Jeff Bailey –
Shelton Kay: Shelton Kay has been the Executive Director of the Rockford Regional Health Council since the beginning of 2024. Before that I retired from Crusader Community Health as Vice President of Community Services after 30 years. Before that HE was the original dance instructor at the RPS CAPA program.
Dorothy Paige-Turner: Dorothy Paige-Turner is recognized for her contributions to the arts, education, and community engagement. She is a retired music teacher, author, playwright, and historian with a passion for sharing African American stories and culture. She is the founder of Rockford Reader’s Theater and the Black Theatre Ensemble. She is currently involved in a special Series at the West Side Show Room this summer “They Speak” July 26 and 27 and August 23 and 24.
Trinity Rucker: At 13 years old, Trinity Rucker made history as the youngest and first African American City of Rockford Youth Poet of 2024. Since then, she has taken on the roles of Vice President for both the Young Eagle Success Club and the Rockford NAACP Youth Council. Her achievements have earned her numerous awards, including the Winnebago County “Service Excellence” award, the NAACP “Next Generation” Award, and an honorable mention in the national Gwendolyn Brooks Youth Poetry Awards. While excelling in school as a talented singer, dancer and athlete, Trinity is highlighted for her exceptional poetry skills. After winning The Miracle Mile’s poetry contest, she published her own book, My Sun Rises, at the age of 14. Trinity continues to serve her community through her words and celebrates those who have supported her on her “Character Matters” Show in partnership with the Sounds of Good News YES Club and Dr. Carl Cole. She credits God, with the willingness of her mother, Darlene Titsworth, for all of her blessings.
Cornell Bondurant: With a bachelor’s from Western Illinois University and a master’s from University of Illinois-Chicago, Cornell brings over a decade of experience in social service and higher education. Cornell’s primary focus is on working with and mentoring underserved and underrepresented groups, with a specific emphasis on young men of color.
Social Emotional Learning plays a vital role in our lives, influencing decisions, encounters, and reactions. Cornell is dedicated to helping youth at our Clubs understand their emotions and learn how to regulate them in a positive way. Born and raised right here in Rockford, Cornell understands the needs and concerns of our community and is eager to be a part of its continued growth and progress. Thanks to funding from the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board, Cornell is able have a direct impact on on our Club kids. #WCCMHB
Dana Briggs: is an Air Force Academy graduate and veteran who spent 19 years in uniform domestically and internationally. He is a member of Common Defense which is the country’s largest veteran-led grassroots organization committed to engaging, organizing, training and mobilizing veterans to elect accountable leaders and promote progressive values.
Jeffrey Bailey: 30-year career in both the private and public sectors demonstrates a strong commitment to community service, economic development, and industry expertise. Jeffrey has held a variety of impactful roles, each marked by significant contributions. As the former 13th Ward Alderman, Jeffrey played a crucial role in local governance and community development, making lasting improvements in the area. Before serving as Alderman, Jeffrey worked as a Membership Development Executive at the Rockford Chamber of Commerce. His dedication to community service is further reflected through ongoing involvement with the West Gateway Coalitions, contributing to initiatives that benefit the local population. During Jeffrey’s tenure as Program Manager at Brookdale/JEA, he managed clinical staff, provided dementia training, and developed programs aimed at improving the lives of Alzheimer’s residents. Additionally, Jeffrey contributed to business development as a Business Development Manager/Buyer at McDonald’s Corporation.
Jim Roberts: Jim Roberts is a retired pastor, co-founder of Manitoumie Center in Wis., author, activist, musician, and ceremonialist. Lives in Rockford.
Christina Gloria: Cristina Gloria has lived in the Rockford area for the last 37 years since she immigrated from Mexico. She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with a practice in town, providing mental health services to the Spanish-speaking community and others in need. Cristina has been an active advocate for immigrants, and she participated in the prevention of having an ICE detention center in Rockford in May 2017. Cristina has been an active volunteer in serving the Latino community with several organizations such La Voz Latina and has served as Vice-President of ALERTA in Belvidere, Il. Through her involvement with these organizations, she contributed to the development of programs and workshops designed to equip individuals with skills to enhance their quality of life and capitalize on opportunities available in this country, as she has successfully done herself.
Sara Dady: Sara Dady is a member of League of Women Voters of Greater Rockford and is the Immigration Chair. Sara has been practicing family based immigration including visas for victims of domestic violence and other crimes, citizenship, asylum law as well as deportation defense for over 13 years. She owns Dady Law Group LLC in Rockford, Illinois and is a board member of Justice for Our Neighbors of Northern Illinois (JFON) which provides high quality, free immigration legal services. In 2018 she made an unsuccessful but satisfying bid for Congress. She is a 4-H alumna and actively volunteers with U of I Extension in Winnebago County. Sara graduated with a BA in Classical Studies and Political Science from Luther College, Decorah, Iowa and earned her J.D. from Mitchell Hamline College of Law, St. Paul, Minnesota.