The Beloved Longmont Summit, held July 9-11, brought together more than 110 community members to learn about Kingian Nonviolence and explore how these principles can help create a more inclusive, just, and connected community. Rooted in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of the Beloved Community, the summit provided opportunities for learning, dialogue, and relationship-building among people of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
The summit opened with an inspiring evening at the Longmont Theatre Company. Attendees were welcomed by Longmont Mayor Susie Hidalgo-Fahring and treated to a special community choir, led by Dr. Michael Williams, featuring more than 40 singers performing This Little Light of Mine, A Change Is Gonna Come, and Lean on Me. The evening also included a dramatized reading of Dr. King’s Letter from Birmingham Jail by playwright Curtis Rodgers and a powerful keynote presentation on Courageous Empathy by Dr. Vonnetta L. West, senior trainer with The King Center in Atlanta. The event was emceed by Trey Morris and is available on Habitat for Humanity’s YouTube channel.
Over the next two days, participants gathered in the Longmont City Council Chambers for intensive training led by Dr. West. The diversity of attendees was one of the summit’s greatest strengths, including representatives from
- 12 nonprofit organizations,
- 10 small businesses,
- 14 city and county employees or elected officials,
- 7 faith leaders,
- numerous retirees, educators, healthcare professionals, artists, community advocates,
- and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
This broad representation fostered meaningful conversations, new relationships, and creative ideas for strengthening the community.
Participant feedback highlighted the summit’s impact. Ninety-four percent reported a greater understanding of Kingian Nonviolence, 89% said they would attend again, and 83% made meaningful new connections. Participants also expressed a strong commitment to continued action, with many planning to attend coalition meetings, continue studying nonviolence, and share what they learned with others. One participant commented,
“This was a very powerful event, and we need to build on the momentum and not let it fade.”
The summit concluded with a community celebration that brought together the beloved Nepali Jatra festival and the Longmont Multicultural Action Committee’s Inclusive Community Celebration. Streets at 4th and Kimbark were filled with music, cultural dances, community booths, and food representing the many cultures that make up Longmont. The celebration served as a powerful example of the Beloved Community in action, bringing people together to celebrate both diversity and shared humanity.
Perhaps the summit’s most lasting outcome was strengthening the Beloved Community Coalition, a community-wide effort facilitated by Habitat for Humanity of the St. Vrain Valley. The coalition meets on the last Thursday of every month and includes representatives from nonprofits, businesses, faith communities, schools, government, and community organizations. The summit demonstrated that when people come together with courage, empathy, and a commitment to the common good, lasting positive change is possible. Participants left inspired, better informed, and ready to continue building a more inclusive, compassionate, and peaceful Longmont.