President’s Message

President’s Message

January 31, 2022
From: Irma F. Dillard Rogers
Board President
To: The MLK-CDC Board & Membership

The Martin Luther King – Community Development Corporation continues to exemplify itself as a very worthwhile organization, with positive partnerships and alliances throughout the city and parish; even as the worldwide pandemic continued through 2021. I am happy to report the MLK-CDC continues to complete several of its annual programs, with added new ventures, in a timely manner. Including a new summer educational camp and business entrepreneurship class, while still battling COVID-19. Monthly and yearly events still include such programs as:

  • Crime Statistics reports, on a monthly basis to inform the citizenry of our low crime rate for the area’s size and number of people
  • Representation for the community at MPC, City Council and Parish meetings, annual clean-ups were also completed with the Green Oaks students & several community volunteers in the spring & fall; MLK-CDC garnered 1st place for the Spring 2021 cleanup hosted by Shreveport Green during the Great American Clean Up
  • The pandemic continued to rage, yet the organization supplied MLK senior citizens, and others in the city with pandemic kits that included Lysol or Microban sprays, sanitizer, masks, health information, and local emergency numbers to assist with doctor visits
  • Enhanced tutoring projects expanded to include a Special Summer Session- Summer Basics for three elementary schools with phenomenal staffing and overall success
  • The second largest grant award to date for the organization from Ochsner LSU Health which was allocated to fund several educational initiatives
  • Summer camps support included students from three different SPAR facilities, over seventy-five students, targeting crime prevention with a presentation from a local juvenile judge and STEM workshop provided two computers to students who are underserved
  • Back to school backpacks were still distributed utilizing a drive through format with over 300 backpacks distributed, assisted by loyal volunteers
  • School uniforms are still a primary target for more than 13 years based on grant funds
  • October’s fall community gathering on educating other about the spread of COVID-19 & targeting violence in an outside format at Southern University with over 200 attendees; Supporting SPD initiatives for crime prevention such as Policing 360-Crime Classes, & Trunk or Treat activities for over 1,500 children
  • Completing the first class of business entrepreneurs for the organization graduating 7
  • Thanksgiving outreach 2021 included over 200 turkey baskets with some cooked dinners going to the elderly and disabled in three different communities within the city
  • Christmas outreach shopping for the underserved for more than 246 children in need of warm clothing along with several families in need of groceries. Also, partnering with the Hawg Riders motorcycle club, Shriners Abduhl Temple #94 and Abduhl Court #103 to offer toys to those students who were listed as homeless and others for Christmas.
  • In celebration of it’s 100th year anniversary, the United Way of Northwest Louisiana placed a call for the “Volunteer of the Century Award”. There were five phenomenal finalists, with yours truly being chosen as the “Volunteer of the Century”. This was a huge honor for the organization and myself.

The public facility building is offering many services to the community even during the pandemic. Thus, I offer many thanks and gratitude from the entire board and membership to all supporters and partners. While 2022 may still present new challenges, I am confident through God’s grace and strength this organization will continue moving forward here and beyond.

Sincerely,

Irma D. Rogers
Board President

MLKCDC – Martin Luther King Community Development