Our Mission

GMLKCI is a not-for-profit corporation (501(c)(3)) whose mission is to provide leadership and active engagement to build an inclusive community.

Our goals

1

Increase knowledge and understanding of the life and philosophy of Dr. King to inspire others to continue his work

2

Bring the concept of inclusivity to the community

3

Engage community members in activities that foster meaningful relationships and dialogue

4

Engage youth to support their development of community building leadership skills

Our History

Working year round since 2001, the Glastonbury MLK Community Initiative (GMLKCI) is a group of volunteers who have partnered with the Town of Glastonbury’s Human Relations Commission to provide opportunities to apply Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s philosophies and principles to the greater Glastonbury and greater Hartford Community.  GMLKCI seeks to encourage all to understand that the health of a community is based upon how its members relate to one another and realize what Dr. King referred to as a “Beloved Community,” where all members have a sense of belonging to, and ownership of that community.  Today the GMLKCI refers to this concept as “an inclusive community” and provides opportunities to satisfy basic societal needs of belonging and acceptance, through a commitment to listening to all, appreciating differences, celebrating the positive contributions from all of its citizens, and increasing the level of trust, connectedness and civic participation in community events. This is done through our free programs:

  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Day, held on the National Holiday

  • Community Conversations, on-going throughout the year

  • Creating opportunities for Leadership for students in Diversity Training

  • Partnering with Glastonbury organizations to host film and book talks and other events

Past Events & Conversations

  • Protect the Vote

  • Homelessness: A Complex Crisis

  • MLK Birthday Celebration 2023

  • Social Justice: A Poetic Conversation

Board of Directors

Bob Rader

Bob Rader (he/him) has a passion for high-quality education, diversity and social justice.

He was executive director of the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE) from January, 1996 until he retired in July, 2022.

He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Regional branch of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which fights for justice and tolerance for all; was Chair of the Proud Academy Board of Directors and is now a Board Member, which is establishing a charter school providing a positive and safe environment for LGBTQ+ students and their allies; and, a member of the Board of Glastonbury Pride. 

He is currently co-moderator of Greater Hartford's Rekindle Fellowship, bringing together Black and Jewish leaders to foster collaboration and allyship.

Gina LaRosa

Gina (she/her) is a dog loving Yoga instructor and a former IT professional with a passion for spreading kindness and compassion.  Being on the GMLKCI board has allowed her to pursue what really matters.

Jill Day

Dr. Jill Day (she/her) is a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner and educator who believes that one of the key features of a healthy community is the ability of that community to live and work together in the spirit kindness, fairness, and “loving thy neighbor.” To achieve these goals, she is a proponent of social justice, and strives daily to actively practice equity, inclusion, and belonging. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, is a lover of soccer and theater, and a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

Lydie Kepseu

Lydie Kepseu (she/her) is a multilingual mediation and communication professional who brings precision, cultural understanding, and discretion to high-stakes conversations. As a French/English interpreter and conflict-resolution specialist, she combines ethical practice with strong engagement skills—supporting inclusive communication in healthcare, legal, and community settings, as well as serving on the GMLKCI as a Board member since 2022.

Ternika Bowden

Ternika (she/her) is a CT native and has lived in Glastonbury for over 15 years. She has spent her professional career as an engineer in the aerospace industry. She joined the GMLKCI board as a way to get more involved in the community. Outside of the board, Ternika enjoys spending time with her family, watching cooking shows, and playing flag football.

Stephen Becker

Dr. Stephen Becker (he/him) spent his career providing visionary leadership in the field of neurodevelopmental disorders. As the president/CEO of HARC for 37 years, he played a major role advocating for public policy changes that replaced institutionalization with a full array of community based services: early intervention, family support, respite, employment, residential, adult day services, behavioral health, elderly and advocacy. He received a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science from the City University of New York and a Doctor of Education at Columbia University; he is a licensed psychologist and certified educational administrator. 

Dr. Becker assumed a broad array of nonprofit and governmental posts lending expertise in both clinical and administrative areas. He was the recipient of several awards that recognized his  accomplishments: Hartford Business Journal, the National Conference on Community and Justice, Connecticut Community Providers Association, the National Social Workers Association. In 2006 the Hartford Business Journal named him Nonprofit CEO of the Year. His volunteer activities focus  on the furtherance of social justice initiatives including service on the boards of the  National Conference on Community and Justice; the Glastonbury Martin Luther King Community Initiative.

Manisha Srivastava

Manisha Srivastava works at the intersection of data and policy for the State of Connecticut. She believes in the power of open dialogue grounded in facts to deepen collective understanding and help move society forward—values that inspire her interest in serving as a GMLKCI board member. Outside of work, Manisha enjoys traveling, hiking, and playing board games.

Melinda Kuzmak

Melinda Kuzmak (she/her) is a Glastonbury native who became involved in activism over the past six years. These experiences have been educational and have increased her desire to support marginalized communities in the greater Hartford area. 

In Glastonbury, she was one of the co-founders and a principal organizer of Glastonbury Pride. Melinda is grateful for the current opportunity to serve on the GMLKCI board.

Board Members Not Pictured

Ellen Carter, David O’Connor