Newly elected Akron Board of Education member Barbara Sykes delivered the keynote address at this annual event held at First Congregational Church of Akron that featured performances from the MLK Coalition Choir and student scholarship recipients.

The fundraiser was presented in partnership with Akron’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Coalition and the City of Akron.

Barbara Sykes, a member of the Akron Board of Education, laughs as she begins her keynote address during the annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Fundraiser Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, held at the First Congregational Church of Akron. The fundraiser was presented in partnership with Akron’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Coalition and the City of Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
Vernon Sykes listens to his wife Barbara Sykes give the keynote address.
Vernon Sykes listens to his wife Barbara Sykes give the keynote address during the annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Fundraiser Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, held at the First Congregational Church of Akron. The fundraiser was presented in partnership with Akron’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Coalition and the City of Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
Bishop David Parker II (left), of Zion Apostolic Faith Church, and Pastor Deante Lavender, of The Remedy Church, share a moment on stage.
Bishop David Parker II (left), of Zion Apostolic Faith Church, and Pastor Deante Lavender, of The Remedy Church, share a moment on stage as they present the scholarship fund appeal during the annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Fundraiser Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, held at the First Congregational Church of Akron. The fundraiser was presented in partnership with Akron’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Coalition and the City of Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
Vera Strong, Barbara Sykes’ sister, claps along and sings.
Vera Strong, Barbara Sykes’ sister, claps along and sings during the annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Fundraiser Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, held at the First Congregational Church of Akron. The fundraiser was presented in partnership with Akron’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Coalition and the City of Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
Dionne Hooks and Minister Clyde Sweeney listen to remarks.
Dionne Hooks and Minister Clyde Sweeney listen to remarks during the annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Fundraiser Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, held at the First Congregational Church of Akron. The fundraiser was presented in partnership with Akron’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Coalition and the City of Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
Xposyur, a spoken word artist, performs.
Xposyur, a spoken word artist, performs during the annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Fundraiser Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, held at the First Congregational Church of Akron. The fundraiser was presented in partnership with Akron’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Coalition and the City of Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
Community members applaud after hearing the fundraising goal of $4,500 was surpassed.
Community members applaud after hearing the fundraising goal of $4,500 was surpassed during the annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Fundraiser Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, held at the First Congregational Church of Akron. The fundraiser was presented in partnership with Akron’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Coalition and the City of Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
Members of the MLK Coalition Choir perform during the annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Fundraiser Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, held at the First Congregational Church of Akron. The fundraiser was presented in partnership with Akron’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Coalition and the City of Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
Arelia Henry, of West Akron, sits with her granddaughter Llondyn Johnson-Provitt.
Arelia Henry, of West Akron, sits with her granddaughter Llondyn Johnson-Provitt, 1, during the annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Fundraiser Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, held at the First Congregational Church of Akron. The fundraiser was presented in partnership with Akron’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Coalition and the City of Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
Akron Public School superintendent Michael Robinson.
Akron Public School superintendent Michael Robinson offers remarks during the annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Fundraiser Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, held at the First Congregational Church of Akron. The fundraiser was presented in partnership with Akron’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Coalition and the City of Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
Akron Mayor Shammas Malik speaks.
Akron Mayor Shammas Malik speaks during the annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Fundraiser Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, held at the First Congregational Church of Akron. The fundraiser was presented in partnership with Akron’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Coalition and the City of Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
Judi Hill, president of the NAACP Akron chapter.
Judi Hill, president of the NAACP Akron chapter, speaks during the annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Fundraiser Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, held at the First Congregational Church of Akron. The fundraiser was presented in partnership with Akron’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Coalition and the City of Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
Coalition coordinators (from left) Minister Peggy Holmes and Cazzell M. Smith Sr. present the 2024 scholarship award to Kaylyn Gates.
Coalition coordinators (from left) Minister Peggy Holmes and Cazzell M. Smith Sr. present the 2024 scholarship award to Kaylyn Gates (right) during the annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Fundraiser Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, held at the First Congregational Church of Akron. The fundraiser was presented in partnership with Akron’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Coalition and the City of Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
The Rev. Nanette Pitt (center), gives community greetings remarks.
The Rev. Nanette Pitt (center), gives community greetings remarks during the annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Fundraiser Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, held at the First Congregational Church of Akron. Behind her is Barbara Sykes (left), and (from right) Gabriella Falconer and Jasmin Falconer. The fundraiser was presented in partnership with Akron’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Coalition and the City of Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
Stacy McMillin-Myers performs.
Stacy McMillin-Myers performs during the annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Fundraiser Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, held at the First Congregational Church of Akron. The fundraiser was presented in partnership with Akron’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Coalition and the City of Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
Michelle Conwell (center) of Akron sings and dances.
Michelle Conwell (center) of Akron sings and dances during the annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Fundraiser Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, held at the First Congregational Church of Akron. The fundraiser was presented in partnership with Akron’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Coalition and the City of Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
An attendee holds a program in their lap.
An attendee holds a program in their lap during the annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Fundraiser Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, held at the First Congregational Church of Akron. The fundraiser was presented in partnership with Akron’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Coalition and the City of Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)

Multimedia reporter/producer (she/her)
Kassi Filkins strives to be an active part of whatever community she finds herself in and joins Signal Akron in its mission to bring accessible and community-focused news to all Akronites.

Kassi was born and raised in Central Ohio and is a photojournalism graduate of Kent State University. She was a staff member at the Southeast Missourian and the Hartford Courant before working in non-profit communications.

Kassi lives in Highland Square and enjoys local coffee shops, walking along trails in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and hanging out with her dogs, cat and husband.