MARTIN LUTHER KING JR CLUB INC

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. CLUB, INC.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Martin Luther King (MLK), Jr. Club began in 1985 and was formally established in 1986 by the late founder, Glyn R. Gleason. Bennie Edwards is the current president of the organization.
To honor the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was the founding principle upon which the MLK Club was founded and organized. The organization provides an annual event to commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. King by providing inspirational programs that instill the importance of education, history, literacy, ethnic and cultural diversity in the community.

The Annual Dr. King Unity Day Celebration is held on the national observance of Dr. King’s birthday each year. In 2015, the Unity Day Program is slated to be held on January 19, 2015 at the Grand Wayne Convention Center and will mark the 30th Anniversary for the organization. To commemorate the occasion, the theme for the event is “30 Years of Service to the Community.”

Mission Statement
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Club, Inc. is a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization that began in 1985 and was formally established in 1986 by the late Glyn R. Gleason for the purpose of providing the community with a progressive course of awareness that honors the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and promotes history, education, literacy and ethnic and cultural diversity.

Board of Directors
Bennie Edwards is the President of the MLK Club Board of Directors and has been an active board member for over 25 years. He is a retired Command Sergeant Major of the United States Army and served 30 years in the military. Bennie retired from BFGoodrich after 37 years of service and his last position was that of Trainer. He retired as a Captain from the Fort Wayne Police Department Reserve after 32 years. He is also a current Executive Board Member of the Charles C. Anderson American Legion Post 148; Executive Committee Member – National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and Director of the American Legion Rider Chapter 148. He is a graduate of the Sergeant Majors Academy and has an Associate Degree in Business Administration from International Business College.
Fran Grant, Vice President and 11 year veteran MLK Club board member is currently serving as Vice President and Program Director. She attended Ohio State University and retired from the State of Ohio as a Coordinator for a 6-million dollar federal program for at risk youth throughout Ohio. Fran had a 14 year broadcasting career which included talk show host, anchor, new reporter, and photographer. She served on the boards of the Ohio Black Expo and Miss Black Indiana. Currently, Fran holds leadership roles at Greater Progressive Baptist Church. She has strong people skills and is a good program coordinator.
Sheila Alexander is currently the Secretary of the MLK Board of Directors and a new board member with less than one year of service. She is currently employed as Assistant Vice President/Manager at Old National Bank. She holds a degree in Business Administration and has worked over 34 years in the financial industry. Previously, Sheila served on the boards of Stop the Madness and Greater Progressive Baptist Church Trustee Board. Her skills include finance and retail banking.
Altermease Gleason serves on the MLK Board of Directors as Treasurer and Program Book Coordinator and has over six years of service on the board. She is currently self-employed as a private CNA-RNA-HHA, and was formerly self-employed as a Daycare provider. Previously, Altermease worked for over 20 years as a Police & Fire 911 Dispatcher. She is currently pursuing a BS in Nursing. Her skills include Certified Nursing Assistant and other medical training and care; Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Quick Books.
Clifford Buttram serves on the board as Publicity Director and has 18 months of service. He holds a Doctor of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix School of Advanced Studies and MBA from Baker College. former Campus Director, National College, Fort Wayne, IN; Dean, ITT Technical Institute; Fort Wayne; retired Major United States Army.
Sheryl Edwards holds the position of Parliamentarian and Scholarship Chairperson on the board and has been a board member for over 20 years. She holds a Masters in Business Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University. She retired as a manager from Indiana Michigan Power after working 37 years in various management positions. She retired as a Command Sergeant Major from the United States Army after serving twenty years. Other volunteer service includes Finance Officer for American Legion Post 148 and Second Vice President of Eta Upsilon Zeta Chapter. Also, past Chairperson of the City of Fort Wayne Mayor’s Diversity Advisory Council; former board member Boys & Girls Club, Limberlost Girl Scouts and American Red Cross. Skills include certified Senior Professional in Human Resources Management and proficient in Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
Sharon Jones is currently serving on the board of directors as the Condolence Coordinator and Assistant Keynote Speaker and Civil Rights Tour Coordinator. She previously served as Secretary for 7 years and has over 15 years of service with the organization. Sharon is a graduate of South Side High School. She is currently employed at BAE Systems and has 35 years of service and her current job title is Administrative Assistant. Also, she is a licensed nail tech and received her certification from Master of Cosmetology School. She previously worked as a RA/childcare assistant for a transitional home for women and children and church nursery assistant. Sharon’s skills include Microsoft Software.
Louise Smith holds the board position of Keynote Speaker and Civil Rights Tour Coordinator and has been an active member of the organization for over 20 years. She retired from Fort Wayne City Government after completing twenty-eight years of service. Louise is a former board member of the NAACP where she served as President of WIN (Women in the NAACP); former member of the Wives of the United Male Chorus; and member of the General Motors Retiree Club of Defiance, Ohio.
Anders (Andy) Johnson is a new board member (November 2013) and is the Assistant Keynote Speaker and Civil Rights Tour Coordinator. He retired from Raytheon Corporation as a Systems Engineer in 2011. He has both an English Literature degree and Electrical Engineering Degree. Andy’s previous experience includes working in the health care industry for several years and various engineering positions. He has been a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) since 2007 and board member since 2013. Andy is also a former United States Army Infantry Officer and served overseas in Korea.
Alice Wims-Lee serves on the board as Registration Chairperson and has been an active member of the organization for over 10 years. She is currently employed as a Post Master in Berne, Indiana and has worked for the Postal Service for over 34 years. Alice is the President of the Fort Wayne Chapter of the National Association of Postal Supervisors and Masonic Worthy Matron (President) of Eastern Star Order for the Fort Wayne Chapter. She has completed some college classes.
Angela Lewis serves on the board as a Web Designer and Vendor Coordinator and has been active in the organization for over five years. She is presently employed as a Customer Service Manager at Regal Beloit and holds a BS in Civil Engineering. Angela is the former board president for MAYA Unity Center, former secretary NAACP Branch #3049; proficient with Auto CAD, HVAC calculations, Excel, Word, PowerPoint; participant with Big Brother Big Sister, Junior Achievement and Children’s Ministry Leader at Imani Baptist Temple.

Non-Discrimination Policy
It is the policy and commitment of Martin Luther King (MLK), Jr. Club, Inc. that it does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, disability, age, religion, familial status, or source of income in admission, treatment, or participation in its programs, services and activities.

STATEMENT OF NEED
The MLK Club wants to continue its thirty year tradition and commitment to promoting the legacy and memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by offering programs to increase the public awareness of the many contributions this great man has made to this nation. The Annual Dr. King Unity Day Program also offers a unique opportunity to honor and share the rich heritage and history of African Americans.
There are many children that live in a single-family household in Fort Wayne, according to Engaging Solution, LLC and the Polis Center at IUPUI, State of Black Youth Report, 2012 Edition, black female headed household comprise 61.9% of all black households as compared to 21.0% for the white female headed household, 17.7% for Hispanic female-headed household, and 13.5% for Asian female-headed households. These families are financially challenged and greatly need financial assistance.
In memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the late founder, Glyn R. Gleason, the organization wants to continue its scholarship program by providing financial assistance to high school students from under-privileged and/or low income families. Students must meet the following criteria in order to be eligible to be considered for a scholarship: Plans to pursue a college education, GPA of 2.0 or higher, participates in sports/school activities, performs community service, financial need and personal essay.

Currently the unemployment rate in Fort Wayne is at 7.5 percent and according to the latest labor statistics, the unemployment rate for Black males in the age range from 20-24 years old is 30.8%, while the total population in this age range was 16.8%. Many of the manufacturing jobs that once provided a decent earning for individuals without a high school education have simply gone away. By granting scholarships, we will provide students with an avenue to develop their full potential, receive a college education and prepare them for job opportunities in Indiana.