GARY | David King is not your average high school senior. He has already identified his future job – president of the United States - and has gotten his feet wet as the 2012-13 President of the Indiana Association of the Students Councils. He was the first African-American to hold this statewide office.
On March 12, King delivered his farewell address at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. The room was packed with student leaders from all over the state, many of whom lined up to be photographed with King as he passed the gavel on to the incoming 2013-14 president. King was also presented with the Dale D. Hawley Leadership Award for outstanding service as President of the Indiana Association of Student Councils.
“It has been a blessing to lead such an important and impactful organization,” King said. “I have learned so much, and met people who are now like family. Our work with student council does not stop here, we have to go back to our communities and be the change we want to see.”
King continues to make a difference in Gary, and his latest endeavor is organizing a Youth March for Change March that will take place in Gary on March 23 at 9 a.m.
King came up with the idea after seeing so many news reports of gun violence in both Gary and Chicago. Since bringing the idea to Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson, King and his planning team have secured several churches, schools, law enforcement and organizations to participate. There will also be representation from Chicago, including the Rainbow P.U.S.H. Coalition.
“I just couldn’t sit back and not do anything,” King said. “I wanted my peers to join me in saying ‘enough is enough’ and to stop all of this violence in our community.”
Freeman-Wilson echoed King’s concerns and immediately agreed to support the efforts of the march.
“We are beyond proud of David and his many accomplishments,” Freeman-Wilson said. “He loves Gary and is serious about making a difference. We have to help him with these important goals, and I can definitely see David being President one day.”
Parade participants, marchers and vehicles, will convene at the Roosevelt High School rear parking lot at 25th Avenue and Harrison Street by 8:30 a.m. The Youth March for Change will begin at 25th and Broadway and ends at 7th and Broadway.
A rally on the steps of City Hall will immediately follow that will feature prayer, vocal performances and several speakers including elected officials, faith, community and student leaders.
For more information, call (219) 881-1314 or (219) 881-5481. To register your organization to participate, email David King at david.king@iasc.us or Chelsea Whittington at cwhittington@ci.gary.in.us.
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