Ten years ago the City of Davenport designated Marquette Street in honor of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and a group of concerned citizens had a dream to mark the entire street with signage related to the designation. On Tuesday, Aug. 28, the 49th anniversary of King's "I Have a Dream" speech, their dream was realized with the placement of the final two street designation signs.
From 2002-2010, nine signs were purchased and placed through the efforts of the Rev. Rogers Kirk, Third Missionary Baptist Church, and the Emerging Black Professionals of the Quad Cities. In 2010, the St. Ambrose University Diversity Work Group took on the completion of the project as a diversity initiative in partnership with the City of Davenport. Fundraising for the remaining 46 signs was the result of collaboration between the DWG, administrators, staff, faculty, students, alums and friends.
"The accomplishment of this goal is a visible, ongoing reminder to all in our community of the importance of brotherhood and sisterhood, in place at St. Ambrose University," said Trustee Emeritus and Alum Jim Collins.
Marquette Street is now marked in its entirety with 55 signs, from the Mississippi Riverfront at Centennial Parkway's Beiderbeck Drive to 62nd Street, where Marquette ends at a cornfield.
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