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Christopher Gardner delivers the keynote speech. (Photo credit: Karlis Adamsons)

Ellen Kullman represents DuPont at the 18th anniversary celebration. (Photo credit: Karlis Adamsons)

The DuPont Diversity Choir performs at the 2009 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Celebration.

On Monday, DuPont partnered with the City of Wilmington (Delaware) to host the 2009 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Celebration event.  This year’s theme was “Breaking Barriers, Building Our Community.”  About 5,000 DuPont employees and community members attended the day’s festivities, which included workshops, children’s programs, live performances and speeches. 

During the program, DuPont CEO Ellen Kullman discussed the meaning of the day and the event.  “We’re celebrating Dr. King’s dream of a world where men and women of every race, ethnicity and background can come together, build strong communities and realize their potential as individuals,” Ellen said.  “Dr. King’s vision is as relevant today as ever.  At DuPont, his legacy guides us in living out our core value of respect for people.”

The keynote speaker was Christopher Gardner, an entrepreneur, philanthropist and author of "The Pursuit of Happyness," which became a movie starring Will Smith in 2006.  Gardner shared his life story of being a homeless single father who worked hard to break destructive cycles and never give up on his dreams…or his son.  Now a self-made millionaire, Gardner moves forward by looking back at how much he has overcome to pursue his dreams and his “happyness.”

Additional speakers included U.S. Congressman Mike Castle (R-Del.) and Roy Campbell, who served as the master of ceremony.