CORPUS CHRISTI, Tx \u2014 The city of Corpus Christi is kicking off its Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebrations with a proclamation, but the history behind this march goes back decades before the city ever got involved.<\/p>\n
Members of the local chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. say they started the march nearly 40 years ago, with the city becoming a partner later on.<\/p>\n
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated was founded in 1913 with a mission to uplift the Black community. Since then, more than 350,000 women worldwide have joined the sisterhood to create lasting change.<\/p>\n
Corpus Christi’s MLK march began with sorority sisters 40 years ago<\/p>\n
“We were really founded and created on the basis of creating and effecting change,” said Nikela Pradier, chapter president.<\/p>\n
Pradier said it’s the hunger for change that motivated her sisters to create this march four decades ago.<\/p>\n
“From there it pretty much blossomed into a program that was owned by our sorority,” Pradier said.<\/p>\n
Photos from past MLK marches show generations of community members coming together to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.<\/p>\n
“We were there. We were present,” said Stephenie Rhodes, a sister and chair of the MLK Committee.<\/p>\n
Rhodes said the very first march actually started in the historic Hillcrest neighborhood back in the 1980s. Now, it’s continued to grow.<\/p>\n
“Working with the county and the city? That’s big,” Rhodes said.<\/p>\n
She said the march is open to everyone.<\/p>\n
“We’re also uniting and doing things in a nonviolent way,” Rhodes said.<\/p>\n
Sorority members say receiving a city proclamation on January 13th, Delta Sigma Theta’s Founders Day, made the moment feel especially meaningful.<\/p>\n
“Looking at the time that we’re in today, it’s a mission that is possible,” Rhodes said.<\/p>\n
Sorority members say honoring Dr. King’s legacy doesn’t end with one day \u2014 it’s a lifetime commitment.<\/p>\n
The 40th annual MLK Commemorative March will be held at noon on January 19th, starting at the Nueces County Courthouse.<\/p>\n
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