Community
Get Ready for MLK March Jan. 16

The City of San Antonio, in partnership with District 2 Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez and the San Antonio Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission chaired by Dwayne Robinson, is inviting the community to participate in the largest march in the nation. The 36th Martin Luther King, Jr. March and Celebration will take place in person on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023 at 10 a.m.
This year’s theme, “Together We Can Be THE Dream,” was created by Shaunda Hopkins Lohse and chosen by the MLK Jr. Commission as the theme for 2023.
“We are overjoyed to share the details of the 2023 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. March. Often touted as the largest in the nation, next year’s March will return in person for the first time since the COVID pandemic,” McKee-Rodriguez said. “After successfully advocating to triple the budget for the march and receiving record engagement in our annual Artwork and Theme contests, we have no doubt it will be even more joyous, connective, reflective, and more accessible to those who also hope to live Dr. King’s dream.”
Serving as the new chairman for the MLK Jr. Commission, Dwayne Robinson hopes for maximum turnout from the city and hopes residents show up in record numbers for the march.
“We are excited to return not only the in-person MLK, Jr. March but also the Youth Summit, Wreath Laying Ceremony, Interfaith Service, Trinity University Lecture, Baptist Minister’s Union Worship Service, and announce the recipients of the MLK Public Service Award and Scholarship recipients,” Robinson said. “We’ve waited for three years to showcase to the nation that the city of San Antonio continues to honor the legacy of the great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As King once said, ‘The beauty of genuine brotherhood and peace is more precious than diamonds or silver or gold.’”
The 2023 celebration will begin with the in-person march kickoff at 10 a.m. at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Academy, 3501 Martin Luther King Drive, and ends at Pittman-Sullivan Park, 1101 Iowa St., followed by the park celebration at Pittman-Sullivan Park. The park celebration will include the main stage with multicultural performances, a health and wellness area, a youth area, food and merchandise vendors, and information booths.
To stay updated on the MLK March and events, go to (SA.Gov) and click on Events.
COMMISSION AND COMMUNITY EVENTS
Thursday, January 12, 2023 – 7 p.m.
Trinity Lecture
Location: Trinity Lecture Laurie Auditorium
Baptist Ministers Union Worship Service
Friday, January 13, 2023 – 7 p.m.
Location: Antioch Baptist Church
Youth Empowerment Event
Saturday, January 14, 2023 – 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Location: The Espee at Sunset Station
Wreath Laying Ceremony
Sunday, January 15, 2023 – 2 p.m.
Location: MLK Plaza (N. New Braunfels St. and E. Houston St.)
Interfaith Worship Service
Sunday, January 15, 2023 – 4:30 p.m.
Location: St. Gerard Catholic Church
Pre-March Service
Monday, January 16, 2023 – 8 a.m.
Pre-Worship Service
Monday, January 16, 2023 – 9 a.m.
Location: Martin Luther King Jr. Academy
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. March
Monday, January 16, 2023 – 10 a.m.
Starts at: Martin Luther King Jr. Academy
Ends at: Pittman-Sullivan Park
Commemorative Program & Public Awards Ceremony
Monday, January 16, 2023 – 12 p.m.
Location: Pittman-Sullivan Park
Community
Emotional Emancipation Circles: Nurturing Black Mental Health

By Ayana Brown, MHPS
“We are going to emancipate ourselves from mental slavery because whilst others might free the body, none but ourselves can free the mind.” – Marcus Garvey
As Black Americans, we carry the weight of our ancestors’ struggles, resilience, and triumphs. Our collective history is filled with pain, but it is also infused with strength. In the face of ongoing challenges, it is essential for us to prioritize our emotional well-being and seek healing. There are more than 100 types of therapy, yet few are culturally based. Even fewer are made available to Black, Indigenous and People of Color, or the BIPOC community. One powerful tool that can aid in this process is the Emotional Emancipation Circle (EEC).
Emotional Emancipation Circles from the Community Healing Network (CHN) provide a safe and supportive space to confront and heal from the psychological and emotional wounds inflicted by racism, discrimination, and systemic oppression. Endorsed by the late Maya Angelou in 2009 and supported by the Association of Black Psychologists, EECs are rooted in the understanding that our mental and emotional well-being is as important as our physical health.
These support groups are structured and evidence-based settings where people from the diaspora participate in open and honest talks, allowing us to express the various feelings of being Black. We share our tales, worries, hopes, and dreams with the knowledge that we are not being judged. We offer support to one another via active listening, empathy, and affirmation, forming links of healing and resilience. We also discover our genuine history.
Empowered by what I was first exposed to in Panama, I became a certified facilitator in 2021. I recognize that the BIPOC community struggles with insufficient access to resources and feels their individual needs are overlooked. As a disabled veteran, caregiver, and parent, I am passionate about advocating, consulting, and collaborating with a nationwide network of providers dedicated to education and empowerment. This is a service that REACH Peer Support Services offers to “fill in the gaps” between our community needs and what is offered.
The Community Healing Network has formed these circles globally. If you want to learn more about CHN and other BIPOC-focused mental health resources and services for your church, organization, or family, go to (ReachPeerSupportServices.com). Those who join the newsletter will know about the next EEC location first.

After serving honorably in the United States Navy, Ayana Brown, MHPS, launched REACH Peer Support Services, LLC in 2021 to use her various experiences towards her passion, empowering families to heal with advocacy and non-judgmental support.
Business
San Antonio Airport to Set Record for Travel During Memorial Day Weekend

More people are packing their suitcases for trips in and out of San Antonio International Airport (SAT) than ever before. SAT will see a record-breaking number of travelers – close to 190,000 total – from Thursday to Memorial Day. During that 5-day period, there’s an estimated 14% increase in scheduled seats to and from SAT compared to 2019 and a 19% increase since last year.
“We’re expecting the busiest Memorial Day weekend travel in our airport’s history,” said Jesus Saenz, Director of Airports, San Antonio Airport System. “People want to fly and it’s getting more affordable to do so. We are seeing more competitive fares with the addition of Spirit Airlines over the last year – and that’s helping our travelers find better deals on flights that are too good to pass up. We’re also expecting our busiest summer ever, but right now we’re focused on making sure everyone has a smooth experience in the days ahead.”
According to the Transportation Security Administration, here’s a day-by-day breakdown of how many passengers are expected to fly in and out of SAT:
- Thursday: 38,514
- Friday: 38,600
- Saturday: 34,000
- Sunday: 38,100
- Memorial Day: 37,700
Fly Away Valet has also set records recently. Earlier this month, the company reported a gigantic increase in parking spaces at SAT since the service began in 2020. The service started with 80 spaces and now has 500.
Last week, valet operations were consolidated to the Short-Term Parking Garage for both pick-up and drop-off of vehicles.
For more information and to watch a video showing how to valet park at SAT, please visit the airport’s website.
Community
75 Years of Providing Worldwide Service as Zetas and Friends

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, “The Mighty” Southern Region is hosting its 94th Southern Regional Leadership Conference and 55th Southern Regional Amicae Leadership Workshop from June 8 – June 10, 2023. The conference site is the Marriott Rivercenter, located on the River Walk at 101 Bowie Street, San Antonio, Texas 78205.
The theme,“Celebrating 75 Years of Providing Worldwide Service as Zetas and Friends,” is aligned to Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated’s efforts to address and bring awareness to health disparities and social determinants in Texas and Louisiana. The Southern Regional Leadership Conference is hosting two events that are open for the public to attend: a Health Justice Townhall and a Public Program that includes a Night of Performing Arts.
The Southern Regional Health Justice Townhall is June 8, 2023, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and will be moderated by Dr. Stacie NC Grant, International President and CEO of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. The town hall will provide a platform for open and honest dialogue on health justice, healthcare, health disparities, and social determinants. The panel will consist of experts in the fields of health, civic and social advocates and leaders who serve as Champions for health justice and equity.
“The Mighty” Southern Regional Public Program is June 9, 2023, from 7:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. It will consist of recognition of San Antonio community leaders who are Embracing the Extraordinary with Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, and a Night of Performing Arts featuring Billy Ray Shepard.
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