Message from the President....
Liesta Sykes, President, Improvement League
Greetings!
On behalf of the Improvement League of Plant City, MLK Festival organizers, volunteers and partners, I would like to take this moment to invite you to join us in celebrating cultural diversity. The African American experience provides an opportunity for people of all colors, and backgrounds to gain knowledge and understanding involving black culture.
This year we celebrate 27 years in addition to a major change for the MLK Festival.
This year we also celebrate our continuing partnership (3 years now) and collaboration with the Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival "Celebrating the Heart & Soul" of Tampa Bay. Various cultural celebrations and activities are held throughout Tampa Bay's cities (Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Plant City). We encourage residents and those traveling from abroad to check out all of the list of activities by visiting TBBHF website.
Despite economic challenges the City of Plant City, local businesses and residents have reinforced their support of this cultural event.
Victim of our own success! Hosting cultural events in the City of Plant City and surrounding Tampa Bay area has increased since we first initiated the Plant City MLK Festival 26 years ago. Our festival format has been adopted and duplicated by a number of other organizations as a successful model. The Improvement League will continue to "set" the standard with the Plant City MLK Festival and offer the best yearly cultural experience during the month of January working jointly with Tampa and St. Petersburg.
The Plant City MLK Parade last year was privilege to have a record five school bands and very diverse line up of parade participants to include the East Hillsborough Twirlettes.
This event could not be held without the support of our sponsors and supporters. In light of the economic climate, this festival continues to receive the support to promote cultural diversity. I would encourage that we all make "note" of those supporters and solicit their businesses to ensure survival of those who care about communities.
