**St. Joseph Honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with MidCity Excellence’s 12th Annual MLK Jr. ‘Solutions Summit’**
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — On a day dedicated to remembering the work, wisdom, and lasting impact of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the city of St. Joseph showcased how his legacy continues to inspire and uplift communities.
MidCity Excellence (MCE) hosted its 12th Annual MLK Jr. ‘Solutions Summit’ on Monday, inviting the community to celebrate Dr. King’s life through a variety of performances and inspirational messages. The event featured impressive musical acts, including the St. Joe Stixx Drumline, YouthCity Gospel Choir, and the unique MidCity Trash Can Band.
Multiple guest speakers, ranging from MCE alumni to local leaders, took the stage to share powerful Dr. King quotes and personal stories. These testimonials highlighted the ongoing relevance of Dr. King’s vision and the strides still needed to achieve those ideals.
Initially aiming to attract 150 attendees, the summit surpassed expectations with an audience of 160 to 175 people. MCE CEO Kimberly Warren reflected on the turnout, emphasizing the event’s deeper meaning and future goals.
“Instead of griping, murmuring, and complaining about the issues in life today, we watched the youth run the entire program,” Warren said. “We saw alumni return to share their experiences and reaffirm how dreams can become reality. That’s the American dream. We will face challenges, but we can’t be intimidated by them.”
Warren also noted the strong community interest in MCE programs, with 40 to 50 students currently on waiting lists for the drumline, afterschool programs, choir, and STEM initiatives. “What today shows us is everyone in the community is speaking the same language,” she added.
This year marks 25 years of MCE’s impact on the community — a milestone Warren credits to building a solid financial foundation and, importantly, listening to the youth involved in the program.
Among those attending was MCE alumnus and speaker Tyrese Huskey, an electrician, eight-year U.S. Army veteran, and current master’s degree candidate in electrical engineering at the University of Central Missouri. Huskey reflected on his challenging youth and expressed gratitude for the role MCE played in his journey.
“I want the kids here to learn from their mistakes and understand how serious mistakes could cost them their freedom,” Huskey explained. “MidCity Excellence has brought people together — you can see it with the kids smiling, playing music, and helping others. I’m grateful for this program and honored to give a couple words of encouragement: stay on the right path and keep pushing forward, just like Dr. King said.”
Huskey was one of several former alumni who spoke about their paths to successful careers, highlighting the impact of MCE’s programs.
The event also featured a BBQ catered by local favorite Big Daddy & Sons BBQ, providing an opportunity for community members to connect and celebrate together.
One of the key goals of the MLK Jr. ‘Solutions Summit’ is to demonstrate the strong community support behind MCE’s mission — making a positive difference in the lives of youth in St. Joseph and beyond.
https://www.newspressnow.com/news/2026/01/19/midcity-excellence-honors-legacy-mlk-jr-and-uplifts-local-youth-at-12th-annual-solutions-summit/