Concord City Council member Ali Sekou, an immigrant from Niger, keynotes Jaffrey-Rindge MLK celebration

Concord City Councilor Ali Sekou speaks Tuesday at the Jaffrey-Rindge MLK celebration at The Park Theatre.

Concord City Councilor Ali Sekou speaks Tuesday at the Jaffrey-Rindge MLK celebration at The Park Theatre. STAFF PHOTO BY DAVID ALLEN

Fourth-grader Reagan Lampinen speaks about the meaning of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s words.

Fourth-grader Reagan Lampinen speaks about the meaning of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s words. STAFF PHOTO BY DAVID ALLEN

Fourth-graders Joseph Grandy and Jesse Levesque shared their thoughts on Martin Luther King Jr.’s work.

Fourth-graders Joseph Grandy and Jesse Levesque shared their thoughts on Martin Luther King Jr.’s work. STAFF PHOTO BY DAVID ALLEN

The Jaffrey Grade School Chorus, under the direction of Kerri McCormack, performs at the MLK celebration. 

The Jaffrey Grade School Chorus, under the direction of Kerri McCormack, performs at the MLK celebration.  STAFF PHOTO BY DAVID ALLEN

By DAVID ALLEN

Monadnock Ledger Transcript

Published: 01-23-2025 12:01 PM

“Its always good to know a person before you judge,” Ali Sekou said Tuesday in Jaffrey.

Sekou, a city councilor in Concord, was the keynote speaker at the MLK Day Jaffrey -Rindge Community Celebration in honor of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr..

Sekou arrived in the United States from Niger 12 years ago and is the Concord City Council’s first African-American and first Muslim member.

“Give people the opportunity to learn, to serve, and to be themselves,” he said.

One day after Donald Trump was inaugurated as president, Sekou reflected on his own political path.

“Only in America could someone not born here run for office, and win against two people who were born here,” said Sekou.

On Monday, the Jaffrey-Rindge MLK Committee hosted a presentation by Nicholas Stephanopoulos of Harvard Law School, who addressed the issue of voting rights, a key issue during King’s life.  On Tuesday, community leaders and the Jaffrey Grade School chorus reminded guests at The Park Theatre about King’s dreams for society and that they have not been realized.

Kerri McCormick conducted the chorus in “Leaders of Tomorrow” by Sonja Poorman and “American Heart” by Teresa Jennings, and some fourth-graders from Jaffrey offered their takes on King’s efforts and goals.

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“Courage is doing things you know are scary,” said fourth-grader Joseph Grandy.

Diego Alvarez of Manchester, president of the Franklin Pierce University Class of 2026 shared President Lyndon Johnson’s remarks after he signed the Voting Rights Act in King’s presence in 1965, and Rindge Town Administrator Lori Rautiola implored people to be involved in their communities in keeping with King’s spirit. 

“Volunteer at a food pantry, or give an elderly person a ride if needed,” said Rautiola.

The MilliporeSigma-MLK Student Service Scholarship is annually awarded to students in recognition of service to others. Owen Houghton, a founding member for the Jaffrey-Rindge MLK Committee, announced the 2024 recipients of the $1,500 scholarships -- Aubrie Henderson of Jaffrey and Timothy MacKay of Rindge. Henderson is studying to become a nurse at New England College, and MacKay is a double major in mechanical and robotics engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. 

Seniors in Jaffrey and Rindge are eligible for the scholarships. Applications will be available on Feb. 28 at the Conant High School Guidance Department, both town libraries and on the MLK Celebration Jaffrey-Rindge MLK Facebook page.