Thanks to South Dakota State University student Thomas Reynolds, Brookings will be the first town in South Dakota with a road named after Martin Luther King, Jr., the legendary civil rights leader.
Over the last two and a half years, Reynolds has campaigned to dedicate a street in town to King. Martin Luther King Way will soon be the name of a previously nameless street in Pioneer Park. Reynolds’ campaign, which started in summer 2022, has earned the support of community members and officials.
The street will officially be named Martin Luther King Way on either Feb. 25 or March 11, weather permitting. With the naming of this street, South Dakota will become the 42nd state to name a street or public building after King. The street in Pioneer Park is a meaningful location for both Reynolds and the Brookings community, according to Reynolds.
Pioneer Park serves as a gathering place for Brookings’ citizens, and those from surrounding towns. The park hosts numerous events throughout the year, including the Juneteenth celebration and the Summer Arts Festival. Naming a street in Pioneer Park after King shows its visitors the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) that Brookings is dedicated to.
Brookings City Council members and citizens are dedicated to making Brookings a welcoming place for all people, and the street name showcases just that. Brookings Mayor, Oepke “Ope” Niemeyer, understands the acceptance that Brookings practices, something that isn’t happening in other local communities.
“If it’s going to happen somewhere, it’s going to happen here,” Niemeyer said.
Reynolds said that during his campaign, he felt supported and received positive support from friends and community members.
One major group that aided in Reynolds’ campaign was South Dakota State University’s Office of Multicultural Affairs and Accessibility (OMAA). OMAA is dedicated to supporting students in whatever ways they can, they help students find success at the university and through projects such as this one.
Shelly Bayer, director of multicultural affairs and accessibility, is proud of Reynolds’ work and the example he sets for fellow students.
“I hope that it inspires people,” Bayer said.
The diversity, equity and inclusion practices in Brookings continue to grow and make Brookings a more welcoming place through the work of city officials, SDSU students and the everyday practices in the lives of community members.
Reynolds’ plans on continuing his work as an activist and is considering taking on more projects such as this one. His success and ambition toward making his community a welcoming place for all, is inspiring to those who know him.
He started this project in summer of 2022, spending hours planning, attending meetings and speaking to city council and parks department members.
Throughout his campaign, he has been supported by friends, family, OMAA employees, student-success adviser Jay Molock, City Council members and officials and Niemeyer. Reynolds’ youthful activism was inspired by the work of famous activists such as Bob Dylan and activist group Give Peace a Chance.
