On Tuesday morning, students arriving for the first day of school at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School in Hartford were met with a tunnel of clapping community members, cheers and a festive atmosphere. The annual first‑day‑of‑school celebration, organized by the nonprofit Calling All Brothers, marked the group’s 11th year of partnering with the school.
Community roots and a history of resilience
Pastor AJ Johnson, who leads Calling All Brothers, explained why the school holds special meaning for the organization. About eleven years ago the district considered closing the school, prompting a neighborhood effort that kept it open. “It went from a $60 million investment to a $111 million investment of what you see,” Johnson said, noting the school’s continued growth and its role as a symbol of community perseverance.
Johnson said the celebration brings together people of many backgrounds – Black, White, Puerto Rican, Asian, Indian – under the shared goal of supporting education. “To see all those families celebrate under the grant of education is beautiful,” he added.
Students feel the love
For many children, the welcome serves as a bright start to a challenging day. “A lot of these kids live in a rough neighborhood. They have to walk through crime, they walk through violence, they walk through all kinds of things to get here,” Johnson said. “So we wanted to meet them here with joy.”
Fifth‑grader Zion Moncrieffe expressed his excitement as he entered the building. “When I get in that school, I am going to hug my old teacher!” he said. His mother, Jannea Stone, echoed the sentiment, telling NBC Connecticut, “I love you, and I want you to do great and be successful.”
A “Super Bowl‑like” atmosphere
Johnson described the energy created by Calling All Brothers and the surrounding community as a “Super Bowl‑like environment.” The event featured music, applause and a sense of unity that underscored the organization’s larger purpose: ensuring Hartford students begin the school year knowing their neighbors stand behind them.
The celebration also aims to encourage parents to send their children back to the classroom with confidence. By highlighting the collective support of volunteers, local businesses and faith‑based leaders, the event reinforces the idea that education is a shared responsibility.
Looking ahead
Calling All Brothers plans to continue its partnership with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School each fall, hoping to expand its reach to other schools in the city. The group’s commitment reflects a broader effort to strengthen Hartford’s neighborhoods through faith‑inspired service and community involvement.
Original reporting: NBC Connecticut (Hartford) — read the source article.
