The Chaska Events Center ballroom was packed to capacity on Jan. 19 for the ninth annual Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Day Human Rights Celebration. Nearly 200 attended the uplifting event that featured music, guest speakers and an announcement of the annual Chaska Human Rights Award.
“We’ve been celebrating with this event for nine years, and we’ve announced annual award winners since 2011,” said Sarah Carlson, Chaska Human Rights Commission Chairperson. “We’re excited to have such a good turnout again this year.”
Several speakers were included in the presentation, offering messages of hope, appreciation of one another and support during trying times. Chaska Human Rights Commission member Kechi Duffy, who hosted the event, said “It’s critical to keep Martin Luther King’s dreams alive. Events like this help us do that.”
Chaska Mayor Taylor Hubbard expressed appreciation for the event and honoring King’s life and legacy. “King said, ‘True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice.’ It’s important to listen with open hearts, mutual respect and work together to make conscious choices for unity, compassion and love.”
Keynote speaker Ethlind Kaba shared inspirational thoughts based on her own experience. Born in Liberia and raised in Ghana, she came to the United States one month before her 18th birthday. After earning advanced college degrees, she currently serves as executive director of the Ann Bancroft Foundation, expanding possibilities for K-12 girl-identifying youth in Minnesota.
“Martin Luther King paved the way for freedom. We have many freedoms we now take for granted, yet injustices persist. We must recognize our privileges and use them responsibly. I can’t be here without you – and you without me – and we belong in the community together,” she said.
The 2026 Chaska Human Rights Award was given to Monday Market, an organization that began at Chaska High School, serving to alleviate food insecurity for students and families in the community. Volunteers work each weekend to gather fresh food and essentials from markets, organizations and through other donations. Each Monday, students are invited to pick up what they need before buses are loaded at the end of the day. Excess food is distributed to other local organizations such as Bountiful Basket Food Shelf and St. John’s Lutheran Church’s Monday Night Meal, so nothing goes to waste. To date, over 103,000 pounds of food have been distributed.
Powerful musical performances by Steve Kelzer, Tanecsha Jones and Alan Taylor rounded out the event.
