Richmond Hill's 5th Unity Walk Honors Dr. King's Legacy

Richmond Hill ditched its parade floats this year for something more meaningful: walking side by side as one community.

On January 17, the Richmond Hill MLK Observance Committee hosted its fifth annual Unity Day Celebration with a new twist. Instead of watching from sidewalks, residents walked together from City Hall to J.F. Gregory Park Pavilion, led by Richmond Hill High School's JROTC.

The change captured exactly what organizer Johnnie Quiller hoped to achieve. "This is the vision of Dr. King," Quiller explained, referencing Dr. King's dream of seeing people of all races standing together as equals.

Volunteer Sharon Muhammad put it even simpler: "It doesn't matter what your race is. We can say we are a community together." For the volunteers who've organized this event since 2022, those words aren't just talk—they're visible in the diverse crowd that shows up year after year.

Sawaner Tucker, the committee's secretary, has watched the event grow from its first year. "It feels awesome," she said, noting that the diversity of participants speaks louder than any speech could.

The Ripple Effect

The celebration extended beyond the walk itself. Former Richmond Hill Mayor Russ Carpenter received the Unity and Service Award for his community leadership, while Dr. Karen Boles earned the Keeper of the Flame Award for carrying forward Dr. King's mission.

Cultural performances added even more connection, with Peruvian Roots of Savannah sharing traditional dances that reminded everyone that unity includes celebrating our differences. The Richmond Hill High School Diversity Club marched with purpose, showing that younger generations are picking up the torch.

Local vendors and food trucks turned the pavilion into a neighborhood gathering spot where conversations flowed as freely as the coffee and smoothies. Members from Bryan Neck Missionary Baptist Church, the Knights of Pythagoras, and Sigma Gamma Rho sorority all came together, each group adding their own thread to the community fabric.

One sign captured the day's spirit perfectly: "Unity is our superpower." In a world that often feels divided, Richmond Hill spent a Saturday morning proving that when neighbors choose to walk together, everyone moves forward.