Community Corner

Wesley Berry Receives United We Walk 2014 Community Leader Award

Carolyn Clifford will keynote the Jan. 19 celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life and legacy.

Wesley Berry, Jr., owner of Wesley Berry Flowers and a West Bloomfield resident, has been named the 2014 United We Walk Community Leader.

Berry will be honored during the 20th annual United We Walk event, held Jan. 19 at West Bloomfield High School. Selection committee member Deb Macon said he is "both personally and professionally committed to actions that year-round uphold the six universal community values of caring, fairness, citizenship, respect, responsibility, and trustworthiness." 

In addition to many professional accomplishments, Berry has served on the Board of Directors of the West Bloomfield Education Foundation, Youth Assistance and on the Henry Ford Hospital Community Board. 

WXYZ-TV anchor Carolyn Clifford will keynote the event, which celebrates the life and accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The community-based multicultural celebration includes a walk, program, candlelight vigil and community dinner. 

Clifford's keynote speech will reflect the 2014 theme, “United We Remember, Celebrate, ACT!”. A native Detroiter, Clifford is an 11-time Emmy winner and has also received awards from the Associated Press, the Michigan Association of Broadcasters and was honored as one of Karmanos Cancer Institute's "Heroes of Breast Cancer."

"We are very excited to have Carolyn Clifford participate and share her personal experiences with our community," event co-chair and West Bloomfield Police Chief Mike Patton said. 

Students of all ages, adults and organizations are encouraged to create and carry banners during the walk. Orchard Lake Road, between Maple Road and Lone Pine Road, will be closed during the 3 p.m. walk on Orchard Lake Road. Free parking is available at the high school. 

The program starts at 4 p.m. in the school's auditorium and includes performances by the Legacy Dance Studio, Abbott Middle School and West Bloomfield High School choirs, and a special memorial tribute to Reverend Dr. David W. Robertson of Orchard Lake Community Church, Presbyterian and David A. Henig of Temple Kol Ami.

The candlelight vigil begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by a free community dinner in the school's cafeteria that is open to the public. 

To learn more, call 248-865-6420 or visit unitedwewalk.org


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