Mayor Smiley to Induct Four Community Leaders into the City’s Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Hall of Fame

Wednesday, January 21

Juan Carter, Linda A'Vant-Deishinni, Diana Garlington and Patricia Raub (posthumously) will be Inducted in the 23rd Annual Hall of Fame

Mayor Brett P. Smiley today joined members of the Providence City Council, Providence Human Relations Commissioners (PHRC) and Providence community members to induct Juan Carter, Linda A'Vant-Deishinni, Diana Garlington and Patricia Raub (posthumously) into the 23rd Annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Hall of Fame. The ceremony will be held today, Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 5:30 PM in the City Council Chambers.

"These four community leaders have dedicated their lives to serving Providence and uplifting our communities," said Mayor Brett P. Smiley. "Through their leadership, advocacy and dedication to justice, they have made a meaningful difference in the lives of many neighbors. Their efforts reflect the values Dr. King championed and demonstrate how commitment and action can create lasting change. We are proud to honor their work and the positive impact they continue to have across our city."

Inductees were nominated by members of the public, with the PHRC sending recommendations to Mayor Smiley, who selected the honorees based on their contributions to social justice, civil rights and equity. The 2026 ceremony will feature special performances and presentations, including Music One performing the National Anthem and "Better the World," as well as an invocation by Pastor Miller, with Joe Wilson Jr., Director of Arts, Culture and Tourism, serving as emcee.

"Every year, this award is granted to a Providence leader who brings our community together with love and grace," said Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11). "In honor of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I hope our city continues to recognize our great leaders and all that they do to make positive change."

Juan Carter is a highly respected national leader in Community Violence Intervention (CVI), known for his unwavering dedication to public safety and social change. With over 16 years of frontline and leadership experience, Juan is recognized nationwide for his commitment to reducing violence and empowering communities. He began his career in 2009 at the Nonviolence Institute, serving as Director of Street Outreach and Senior Nonviolence Facilitator. Since 2022, he has served as Outreach Manager at the Giffords Center for Violence Intervention, connecting, collaborating and championing the CVI field. Juan is a father, husband, basketball coach, mentor and pillar of the Rhode Island community, committed to building safer, healthier futures for the next generation.

Linda A'Vant-Deishinni has over 40 years of experience working with nonprofits and cultural institutions in Rhode Island. She is Executive Director of the St. Martin de Porres Senior Center and Coordinator for Black Catholic Ministry for the Catholic Diocese of Providence. Her experience includes Executive Director and co-founder of the International Gallery for Heritage and Culture, Education Specialist at Brown University's Haffenreffer Museum, Coordinator for the Providence Children's Museum AmeriCorps Program and roles with the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, Rhode Island Foundation and Rhode Island Black Heritage Society. She develops programs for aging communities and their families and has led research and curated exhibitions on Black communities in Rhode Island. She is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island and has received numerous fellowships, awards and citations for her work.

Diana Garlington is a Providence resident, devoted mother of four and nationally recognized community advocate whose work is rooted in lived experience, courage and an unwavering commitment to justice. A respected leader in violence prevention, youth empowerment and community healing, Diana founded Safer Communities for Justice, the Essence T. Christal Female Youth Empowerment Program and Lock Arms for Peace. She has served on the Juvenile Hearing Board, is Secretary of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence, collaborates with One Gun Gone and co-chairs the City Council's Advisory Board on the Pathway to Ending Gun Violence. Her leadership has earned recognition from the Women's Development Institute, Nonviolence Institute, Moms Demand Action and the NAACP. Diana is also an Emmy Award and Telly Gold Award recipient for her collaboration on the PBS documentary "Forged in Fire."

Patricia Raub (posthumous) was a founding leader of Community Libraries of Providence, helping save neighborhood libraries and create CLPVD, the largest library system in Rhode Island. She served as President of the Board from 2018 to 2021, chaired multiple subcommittees and was a Providence City Council appointee at the time of her passing. Patricia was a devoted supporter of the Friends of Wanskuck Library and an advocate for accessible public services, historic preservation and public transit. She taught American Studies and Rhode Island history at UMass Boston and Providence College, published "Yesterday's Stories: Popular Women's Novels of the Twenties and Thirties" and numerous scholarly articles. Patricia was working on a book about the development of libraries in Providence at the time of her illness.