Columbus honors Rosa Parks' legacy at annual tribute event

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Members of the community came together to celebrate the power of one: the 19th annual statewide tribute to Rosa Parks. 

Congresswoman Joyce Beatty hosted the event alongside other special guests including Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and local author Rita Fuller-Yates. The purpose of tonight's event was to highlight Rosa Parks’ legacy and inspire a conversation on civil rights and freedom.

For Representative Beatty, it was humbling that so many people were part of this event.

"We fill our rooms every year because people feel a sense of pride, togetherness,” Beatty said. “They want to be a part of history and I think it is so important because we stand on Rosa Parks shoulders. She is the one that elevated Martin Luther King Jr."

Besides being grateful for the turnout, Beatty explained what made the night so special.

"People were upbeat, It wasn't about our troubles, our problems, It was about how we move forward,” Beatty said. “It was about how great are we, our diversity when we work together and the audience responded."

There was also a panel discussion about how Americans can continue to build together as a nation despite their current differences.