Saginaw Celebrates 30 Years of Unity with MLK Day March

The streets of Saginaw, Michigan, filled with marchers on Monday as the community celebrated 30 years of bringing people together for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Hundreds walked down Franklin Street before gathering at the Dow Event Center, proving that a simple tradition of unity can stand the test of time.

The Iota Chi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity has organized this Unity Birthday Celebration every year since 1996. What started as a local effort to honor Dr. King's legacy has grown into one of Saginaw's most meaningful annual traditions, drawing families, elected officials, and community members of all backgrounds.

This year's celebration featured keynote speaker Reverend André Spivey, performances by Aisha Little, and remarks from Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet and Michigan State Board of Education President Pamela Pugh. The diverse lineup of speakers reflected the event's core message that everyone has a role in building unity.

Among the crowd, one marcher carried a sign reading "One Race, The Human Race." A young girl wrapped herself in her mother's scarf against the cold, staying warm while learning about standing up for what matters. These small moments captured what three decades of this march have been about: passing values from one generation to the next.

The Ripple Effect

Thirty years of consistent community gathering creates something powerful. Young people who attended this march as children now bring their own kids, creating living proof that dedication to unity becomes a community's DNA.

The longevity of this celebration shows what's possible when organizations commit to showing up year after year. Alpha Phi Alpha's three decades of leadership have given Saginaw a steady anchor point, a day when differences fade and shared humanity takes center stage.

Other communities looking to strengthen their own fabric can learn from Saginaw's example: start with a clear mission, keep it simple, and show up every single year. The event costs nothing to attend and welcomes everyone, removing barriers that might keep people away.

After 30 years, Saginaw's Unity Birthday Celebration proves that the simple act of marching together still matters, and will keep mattering for generations to come.