Racine-Kenosha Urban League Kindness Week dinner honors teachers, King's legacy

KENOSHA — The Racine-Kenosha Urban League honored three Kenosha Unified School District teachers Tuesday during a dinner that also commemorated the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. The ceremony, which was held in Downtown Kenosha at The Vault, was one of a dozen events marking the city's Kindness Week.

Impact Awards were given to Andrea Bell-Myers, who teaches fifth grade at Brass Elementary School; Chavelle Bell, who teaches math at Bullen Middle School; and Dorlise Brown, who teaches social studies at Tremper High School. Bell-Myers said the news of her selection helped affirm why she became an educator. "I’m having a really bad week here and now, this has come from the stars in the universe and God above saying 'You know what? I got you'," she said.



"It goes to prove that on days when I feel like I’m talking to the wall, that somebody is listening.” Bell also was grateful for the recognition. “This is my 21st year of teaching and I just really love what I do for a living,” she said.

Julia Peters, a member of the Urban League’s Young Professionals organization, accepted the award on behalf of Brown, who was unable to attend. Urban League President James Hall urged those in attendance to continue supporting educators. “Teaching is a challenge.

You guys know that," he said. “So, we got to make sure we invest in those teachers. We can’t just leave them (hanging) out to dry.

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We’ve got to make sure they’ve got every resource they need so they can continue to advance our children.” The Rev. Lawrence Kirby of One Voice Church, who was the event's keynote speaker, said that part of King’s legacy is advocating for the “ingenuity of youth.

” He said the Chicago-based Congress of Racial Equality, a non-violent movement on college campuses, and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, co-founded by King and others, were fueled by young people. “And I think too often today, we think that we need to show young people the way, when, in fact, we should just move out of the way,” Kirby said, while adding that community elders should continue to provide young people with support. “Legacy is not just about remembering.

It’s about responsibility," he said. "It is not enough to remember the great things that have been done in the past. We have to become responsible for what happens next.

” Kenny Harper, left, board chair of the Racine-Kenosha Urban League, and James Hall, the league's president, present an Impact Award to Bullen Middle School teacher Chavelle Bell. Kenosha Mayor David Bogdala receives a new MLK jacket from Racine-Kenosha Urban League President James Hall at the league's Kindness Week Dinner Tuesday night held at The Vault in Downtown Kenosha. Racine-Kenosha Urban League President James Hall, left, stands next to 17-year-old Martel Lee, at the league's Kindness Week Dinner Tuesday night held at The Vault in Downtown Kenosha.

Organizers told Lee's story, where he was at first convicted of assault, the case was dismissed Jan. 17, and the teen was set free. Kenosha Ald.

Kenny Harper, the league's board chair, is on Lee's right. Racine-Kenosha Urban League Board Chair Kenny Harper, a Kenosha alderperson, left, Julia Peters, a member of the Urban League's Young Professionals organization and league President James Hall at the league's Kindness Week Dinner Tuesday night held at The Vault in Downtown Kenosha. Peters accepted the teacher "Impact Award" on behalf of Tremper High School teacher Dorlise Brown who was unable to attend the event.

Racine-Kenosha Urban League Board Chair Kenny Harper, a Kenosha alderperson, left, Julia Peters, a member of the Urban League's Young Professionals organization and league President James Hall at the league's Kindness Week Dinner Tuesday night held at The Vault in Downtown Kenosha. Peters accepted the teacher "Impact Award" on behalf of Tremper High School teacher Dorlise Brown who was unable to attend the event. Alvin Owens, left, listens to a speaker during the Urban League's Kindness Week dinner.

On the far right is Andrea Bell-Myers, one of three teachers who received an Impact Award at the event. The Rev. Lawrence Kirby of Kenosha's One Voice Church delivers the keynote speech at the Urban League's Kindness Week dinner.

Kenny Harper, left, board chair of the Racine-Kenosha Urban League, and James Hall, the league's president, present the elementary teacher Impact Award to Andrea Bell-Myers. Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Reporter {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.

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