TEAM Unity in the Community MLK Fund

In the Valley, honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has never been about a single moment -- it has always been about sustaining a message.  

That belief is at the heart of the TEAM Unity in the Community MLK Fund, established at the Valley Community Foundation (VCF) in 2025 by TEAM, Inc. and its MLK Community Committee. Created as a permanent organization endowment, the fund ensures that the Valley’s most visible tributes to Dr. King -- the bronze bust in Ansonia and the newly created mural along the Derby Greenway -- will be cared for and preserved for generations to come.

The journey began in 2019, when a crowd gathered outside Ansonia City Hall for the unveiling of a striking bronze bust of Dr. King. As sunlight broke through the clouds, the moment felt symbolic.  

“People should feel a tingle at seeing this incredible prophet for freedom and humanity that Dr. Martin Luther King was,” said then TEAM, Inc. President and CEO David Morgan. “This is a physical reminder.”  

The bust, the result of years of community effort, was never meant to stand alone. “This is history in the making,” Morgan said at the time. “This is a catalyst for every year. We want people to remember the messages and convictions of Martin Luther King Jr.”  

That vision expanded in 2025 with the creation of a large-scale mural along the Derby Greenway -- an ambitious project that was years in the making. Designed by artist Isaac Bloodworth, the mural not only honors Dr. King, but also celebrates two influential Black figures with deep Valley roots: Mary Portis and Ebenezer Bassett.  

“This mural has been a long time coming. This is a community mural. This is our mural,” said Greg Johnson, President of the Valley NAACP. “When you walk by, run by, cycle by or drive by, this is history right here in Derby.”  

The creation of the TEAM Unity in the Community MLK Fund ensures that these efforts -- and the landmarks that symbolize them -- are not left to chance. Structured as a permanent endowment, the fund provides dedicated, long-term support for the care and upkeep of these sites, protecting them outside the uncertainty of annual budgets or fundraising cycles.  

Together, these projects reflect TEAM, Inc.’s MLK Community Committee’s mission: to inspire unity, elevate history, and spark ongoing community dialogue. From annual MLK Day events to Juneteenth celebrations and community forums, the work continues to grow.