Tecumseh Shackelford of Altadena will be honored with a “Spirit of the Dream Award” next Monday during a concert to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
Shackelford will be honored by Fifth District Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich in recognition of his dedication and influential work for Mentoring and Partnership for Youth Development (MPYD) and the community. Each county supervisor has chosen a member of their district who embodies the spirit of Dr. King’s dream.
The event will take place during a concert at Disney Hall by the Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (ICYOLA).
“It is an honor to be the recipient of this award,” Shackelford said in a statement. ” I can remember when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. marched in my hometown, Grenada, Mississippi in 1966. I had just moved to California. It was the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement, and I was heartbroken that I could not be there. I remember segregation and the limited opportunities for people of color. It is why I’m so passionate for our young men. I want them to dream and breakthrough the prejudices that they face daily. I’m grateful that Supervisor Antonovich, who has been a long time supporter of MPYD, has acknowledged our passion and service to the community’s youth, so they can continue the dream that was started by Dr. King.”
Shackelford, affectionately known as “Shack” by family, friends and coworkers, is known for his untiring volunteer work and efforts to improve the quality of life for young men in the Altadena and Pasadena areas. In 2002, Shackelford responded to a call from the John Muir High School principal, Dr. Eddie Newman to help support struggling, at-risk male students. He helped organize and co-founded the nonprofit male mentoring program MPYD. Its mission is to provide support and mentorship to young men ages 13-18 through academic achievement, social skills development, family relations enhancement, and future educational and employment resource referrals.
Dr. King’s most famous words were uttered from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. on August 28, 1963. The Monday concert will consist of three pieces of music – “I Was Glad,” by C. Hubert Parry – this is a setting of Psalm 122 of the Old Testament; “I Have a Dream,” by Charles Dickerson, a choral and orchestral setting of Dr. King’s speech; and Beethovan’s Ninth Symphony,recognized all over the world as the music that celebrates brotherhood.
The musicians for this concert will be an orchestra, a chorus, and a quartet of soloists for the Beethoven. The orchestra will be the Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles, an orchestra that is comprised of approximately 100 young people from around the County of Los Angeles. Its members are primarily African American; but the orchestra is truly diverse – perhaps the most diverse orchestra in the world. The young people who comprise the orchestra will be joined by their mentors. The chorus will be comprised of 200 singers from around the county. The concert starts at 7:30 PM Monday, Aug. 26, at Disney Hall in downtown Los Angeles.
If you would like to attend the free event or need additional information, please contact Ayesha Birks at (626)396-5600 ext.82009 or mypd06@mpyd.org.
Well deserved. I spoke at the lunch meeting a couple years ago, and was impressed by the diversity of young men attending. Congratulations, Shack!
I am so excited to see this story. Shack is a wonderful gentleman with a heart for the children. He saw a deep need, and at his personal expense, gave of himself to uplift his fellow soul. He is one volunteer, who obviously doesn’t work in order to receive accolades from others. Even if no one noticed his efforts, Shack would still be down in the trenches lifting up youth in need.
God sees you, Shack, and is undoubtedly grateful for your attention to His children. You have made a tremendous difference in the lives of your students and their families. You have made memories for them that will carry them through difficult times to come. Your mentoring will become the fabric of the story that your young men will pass on to their own children. Your mentoring is helping to build self-esteem and to create future greatness. You have truly made your indelible mark in this world. We are grateful to know you.
Congratulations Shack. All of us are grateful for your dedication in making a difference in the lives of deserving youth.
I am so proud that Mr. Shack is receiving this well deserved honor. Thanks Mr. Shack for answering my call in 2002. You are a part of the glue that has kept the program going all these years. MPYD has helped so many young men. God Bless and many thanks. Eddie Newman
Tecumseh Shackelford is truly a man of substance. Shack, I am excited to see you receive this special recognition for your tremendous work with our male students. All of us in this community are in a better place because of it. When our young people succeed, we succeed. Thank you. May God continue to guide you and keep you in His care.