The Brianna Fund presents this concert in honor of Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. and this year’s title theme is “Keeping the Dream Alive, Celebrating Hope, Flight, and Freedom.” Gospel recording artists James Hall and Worship & Praise will be featured, along with Dream Studios, Poet Laureate Lynnette Johnson, Preacherman & the Singing Saints, St. John’s Worship Arts Ministry, and the Springfield Mass Choir. This year’s honorees include the late Ronn Johnson and the late Dora Robinson. The organizations Families Against Violence and Follow My Steps Foundation will be recognized.
Mayor Sarno states, “I am honored to once again attend the Brianna Fund benefit concert which I have proudly attended and donated to for a number of years. Named after his daughter, Ronn Johnson and his family’s landmark initiative of love and caring has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to aid numerous individuals and families faced with disability challenges to not only get by, but more importantly thrive and achieve, as proudly exhibited by Ronn’s daughter Brianna. Ronn was a friend and a well-respected community leader in youth development, family services, addressing disability need challenges and food insecurity issues, especially for our senior citizens.”
“Dora Robinson was another community champion who we sorely miss. Dora was a strong, caring woman and leader who led with style and grace. Ronn Johnson and Dora Robinson both served as Martin Luther King, Jr. Family Services Executive Director and it is very fitting to honor their legacies and memories as we continue to celebrate Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at this annual benefit gospel concert. Both Mr. Johnson and Ms. Robinson’s tremendous legacies will live on through each of us in our support of initiatives like the Brianna Fund. I would also like to recognize and thank Families Against Violence led by my dear friend, Francena Brown, and Follow My Steps Foundation for their continued dedicated community efforts. Let us all keep the dream alive as Ronn Johnson and Dora Robinson exemplified for all.”
