Rhode Island politicians and local leaders gathered with hundreds for the dedication ceremony of the Michael S. Van Leesten Memorial Bridge on Sunday afternoon in Downtown Providence.
Van Leesten was a civil rights advocate, community leader, U.S. Air Force Veteran, as well as an athlete and mentor.
- READ MORE: New bookstore opens in Providence
He died on August 23, 2019 at the age of 80.
In that same year, the bridge opened.
"He's an icon and dedicating this bridge today to him makes all the sense in the world doesn't it, to each and every one of us - Mike built bridges and he understood how to bring communities together in a way that really mattered," said Gov. Dan McKee.
Two of Van Leesten's children, Alexis Brown and Jordan Van Leesten, spoke on their father's impact on the community.
"A lifelong resident of Providence and devoted father of six children, Mike was a founding member and CEO of the Opportunities Industrialization Center, OIC of Rhode Island, paving the way for the education and job training of countless African Americans and other economic and racial minorities," Brown said.
"My eagle you are, dad, thank you for charging me to be young, gifted, and Black. I love you with all my heart. Thanks for the blueprint, I'm flying with it-- Lexi," she added.
Jordan Van Leesten asked the community to learn about and carry on his legacy and mission.
"I hope that each and every one of you use this bridge as a reminder that the work never ends, and that we must continue pushing in terms of providing opportunities to people and always kind of doing it with a smile," he said.