The Partial Observer by Monica Calzolari
MLK Celebrated by Diverse Group of Speakers, Musicians
Every year, the Oneonta Area Branch of the NAACP celebrates the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at different local churches. On Sunday, January 19, the Unitarian Universalist Society of Oneonta hosted the annual celebration with 10 guest speakers and nine musical performances.
The Rev. Stacey Mitchell, pastor of UUSO, said, “We are so honored to host the NAACP celebration this year” and welcomed an audience of nearly 200 people. There was standing room only in the church.
Poletta Louis, president of the local NAACP chapter, announced the theme of the 2025 MLK celebration as “Mission Possible: Protecting Freedom, Justice and Democracy.”
She stated that the mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.
A diverse group of musical talents participated in the celebration. Dan Butterman’s three daughters opened the celebration with a prelude. Later, eldest daughter Malena Buttermann sang a solo of “Homeward Bound.”
