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LynnÌýTodman, Vice President of Health Equity at Spectrum Health Lakeland, Jada Willis,ÌýMiss Benton Harbor 2020,Ìýand the Race Relations Council of Southwest MichiganÌýare theÌýfeatured recipients ofÌýthe inaugural Spirit of MLK Spotlights, which will be presented duringÌýtheÌývirtual kickoff event forÌýNow is the Time! The MLK Celebration Week.Ìý

TheÌýSpirit of MLK SpotlightsÌýareÌýdesigned toÌýshineÌýa light on an individual, organization, and student who embodiesÌýRev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’sÌýspirit of brotherhood/sisterhood and love through their direct actionÌýthroughout the community.ÌýThese honors will be presented atÌý8:30 a.m. Jan. 18ÌýduringÌýtheÌýMLK Celebration Week Kickoff.ÌýÌý

TheÌýopening program for thisÌýfree, virtual, community-wide effort inspired by King’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,"ÌýalsoÌýincludes welcoming messages from U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, St. Joseph Mayor MikeÌýGareyÌýand Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad, a presentation from Benton Harbor High School graduateÌýTekeidraÌýMasters, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America 2020 Midwest Regional Youth of the Year, and remarks from new Benton Harbor Boys & Girls Clubs CEO Mackenzie KastlÌýall interspersed withÌýinspirational musical performances.ÌýNow is the Time! The MLK Celebration WeekÌýisÌýpresented by Â黨ÐÇ¿Õmv, Whirlpool Corp., and supporting sponsorsÌýKinexusÌýGroup,ÌýHorizon BankÌýand United Way of Southwest Michigan.Ìý

LynnÌýTodmanÌý- Individual SpotlightÌý

LynnÌýTodmanÌýis theÌýVice PresidentÌýofÌýHealth EquityÌýat Spectrum Health Lakeland in St. Joseph, Mich.,Ìýwhere she leads efforts to advance health equity.ÌýShe is the catalyst behind Community Grand Rounds, which aims to educate and heighten awareness of structural racism on health and stimulate community and health system action to address racial health inequities.ÌýÌý

She was instrumental in the establishment of the Center for Better Health in Benton Harbor.Ìý

Todman, whoÌýalsoÌýserves asÌýaÌýcommissionerÌýforÌýthe city of St. Joseph,Ìýis a Robert Wood Johnson Culture of Health Leader, whichÌýdevelops leaders to advance health equity through cross-sector and cross-professional collaborations.Ìý

BeforeÌýher role atÌýSpectrum,ÌýsheÌýwas Vice President for Leadership in Social Justice andÌýtheÌýExecutive Director of the Institute on Social Exclusion at the Adler School of Professional Psychology in Chicago.ÌýTodmanÌýalso hasÌýheld teaching and researchÌýpositions at the University of Milan,ÌýPoliticnicoÌýdi Milano,ÌýWestern Michigan University,ÌýUniversity of Notre Dame,Ìýand the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.  Ìý

SheÌýearned aÌýBachelor of ArtsÌýfrom Wellesley College,ÌýandÌýa Master’s in City Planning (M.C.P) and a Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.Ìý

Jada WillisÌý- Student SpotlightÌý

Jada Willis isÌýa Berrien Springs High School graduate and a music studentÌýat Lake MichiganÌýCollege.Ìý

During high school, she wasÌýan honor roll student,Ìýdual-enrolled at LMC and Southwestern Michigan College.ÌýAs secretaryÌýof herÌýstudent council, WillisÌýorchestrated the first Black History Month Assembly.ÌýShortly after,Ìýshe helped form and was active in the school’sÌýBlack Student Association. WillisÌýwasÌýa member of theÌýhigh school’s audition choir, Bel Canto, where sheÌýreceivedÌýnumerousÌýawards, wasÌýa soloist, and part of an ensemble at theÌýdistrict and state level. SheÌýalso performedÌýin musicalsÌýat bothÌýBerrien Springs andÌýLMCÌýand continues to sing and play the piano at her church.Ìý

As an ambitious, young leader inÌýtheÌýcommunity,ÌýWillis hasÌýworked as a Growth Intern with Spectrum Health Lakeland in the Diversity,ÌýEquity, and Inclusion Department. She is currently working at the Center for Better Health inÌýBenton Harbor as a Community Survey Specialist, helpingÌýidentifyÌýhealth care gaps in theÌýcommunity of Benton Harbor.Ìý

WillisÌýwasÌýnamedÌýMiss Benton Harbor 2020ÌýandÌýSecond Runner-Up to Miss Blossomtime 2020.ÌýAfter graduating from LMC, sheÌýplans toÌýtransfer to Western Michigan University toÌýcontinue work towardÌýaÌýbachelor’s degree in music therapy.ÌýSheÌýultimately wantsÌýtoÌýcontinue her graduate studies atÌýa historically Black college or university (HBCU).Ìý

Race Relations Council ofÌýSouthwest MichiganÌý- Organization SpotlightÌý

The Race Relations Council of Southwest MichiganÌýwas foundedÌýin 1998Ìýto bringÌýtogether individuals from different racial groupsÌýtoÌýreduce stereotypes and prejudice and increase mutual understanding, respect, and trust; andÌýidentifyÌýand combat racial inequality and racial injustice.ÌýÌý

In the past 23 years, the Race Relations Council has participated in a wide variety of activities, including countering messages of hate brought to Southwest Michigan by the Ku Klux Klan; identifying and publicizing racial disparities in home lending practices; investigating and publicizing racial attitudes and behaviors in Benton Harbor and St. Joseph; consulting with Lakeland Hospital on the establishment of a diversity and inclusion program; collaborating with other local and regional groups to promote the establishment of a Public Defenders Office in Berrien County; organizing multiple yearly forums at Â黨ÐÇ¿Õmv during the week of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday; supporting the All God's Children Community Choir and the Calling All Colors program; and awarding college scholarships to individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to improving race relations and working for social justice in Southwest Michigan.Ìý

For a full schedule of events, to register for free or for more informationÌýaboutÌýNow is the Time! The MLK Celebration Week, visitÌý.Ìý