Arkansas MLK Commission students take detour to NYC

NEW YORK — Students traveling with the Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Commission to Washington, D.C., were in for a thrilling surprise on Monday when they were whisked away on an unexpected trip to the heart of New York City – Times Square.

The students are traveling as part of the 2024 Dream Keepers Tour, concluding today for the Daisy Bates statue reveal on Capitol Hill. Organized by AMLKC Executive Director DuShun Scarbrough, who is on the National Statuary Hall Committee along with the secretary of state and governor’s office, the detour aimed to provide a memorable and educational experience for the students.

The day began with a hush-hush atmosphere, building anticipation as the students thought they would take local tours around Washington. Traveling for an extended amount of time and upon arriving at their intended destination on the bus, a sense of excitement pervaded the atmosphere when they were awakened to discover the New York skyline.

Met with cheers and gasps, once the students arrived at Times Square, they were immersed in the iconic sights and sounds of the bustling city.

They marveled at towering skyscrapers, dazzling billboards, and the frenetic energy that defines New York City.

“I’ve never seen anything like this before,” exclaimed Ma’Kayla Young, a senior at Pine Bluff High School. “Oh my God, it is so amazing.”

The surprise detour included educational elements with the history of the Theater District and Times Square being the heart of Broadway.

Most importantly, Scarbrough talked about Martin Luther King Jr.’s significant connection to New York City from speeches and sermons that he gave at places like the United Nations and Riverside Church, addressing issues of civil rights, poverty, and the Vietnam War, and how he raised funds for the civil rights movement in NYC.

“He met with local civil rights leaders and participated in demonstrations, like the 1964 school boycotts against segregation,” said Scarbrough.

When Scarbrough was asked why bring the kids to New York, his reply: “Why not?”

“This is the city of dreams, you know,” said Scarbrough. “Everyone has potential to empower the youth to let them know that they can be inspired to do pretty much anything.”

After expressing gratitude to Scarbrough, the students spent the remainder of the evening engaging in sightseeing and sampling various New York-style foods and delicacies.

Chandler Laurent, a senior at PBHS, and Ray’Lei Reed, a sophomore, appreciated the sights while also acknowledging their small town life and the inspiration it provided after visiting New York.

“To see something like this, it’s really amazing,” said Laurent. “To come from a small city to a big city is something and I can really reach for the stars.”

Reed agreed.

“I like it. It’s really exciting and busy. It’s free,” she said. “When you come from a small town when one corner runs right into another, this gives me the city girl experience. I like it.”

Reed stated that she now understands the vastness of the world, and therefore desires to engage in exploration. “I don’t want to be confined to one location,” she articulated.

Lauren Gray, a sophomore at Dunbar Magnet Middle School in Little Rock, described New York as bold and characterized by its multilingualism.

“The atmosphere was very adventurous,” she said. “It inspires me to definitely get out there more and not be scared. Everyone has confidence around here. They just walk with confidence, they keep their head up high.”

Scarbrough commented: “Seeing the students’ faces light up made all the planning worthwhile. We wanted to give them an experience they would never forget while giving them a history lesson as well.”

Scarbrough said the surprise trip to New York is a testament to the power of community support in enriching students’ lives, and it’s a day these students will cherish for years to come.

“To see the big-city lights and for them to be able to say they once had an opportunity to go to New York, is priceless,” said Scarbrough. “They always say if you could survive in a city like New York City, you can survive anywhere. If I am able to inspire them and have them dream that anything’s possible and any dream is reachable, then the detour to New York was well worth it.”

The Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission was created by Act 1216 of 1993. The Commission is a division of the Arkansas Department of Education. The Commission is an offspring of the Martin Luther King Federal Holiday Commission and was established under then-Gov. Bill Clinton by executive order. The Commission was created to promote King’s legacy and philosophy.