Cape's King breakfast will go on without Southeast's participation

~ The event is one of many events planned over several days.

Despite a change in Southeast Missouri State University's involvement with the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Breakfast, the event will continue.

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Citywide Celebration Committee has decided to continue the breakfast despite the fact that it will no longer be hosted by the university. This year the university decided to forgo the annual breakfast, now in its 21st year, to host a dinner later in the month when more university students could attend.

King's son, Martin Luther King III, will speak at the university dinner on Jan. 24.

"This is a pinnacle year for us to keep the tradition alive, because there's just too much effort that's gone into it," said Debra Mitchell-Braxton, an original organizer of the breakfast who continues to work on the citywide committee. "The event should continue -- it shouldn't have to die to start a new tradition."

The breakfast will take place on Jan. 16 at the Osage Community Centre. This year the focus will be on humanitarian action. The breakfast admission fees will be waived in favor of charitable donations like canned goods, toiletries and donations to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship fund at the university.

Braxton said the humanitarian focus is a way to keep King's vision alive.

The keynote speaker for the breakfast will be Rev. Ron Webb of Ron Webb Ministries and Mt. Calvary Powerhouse in Poplar Bluff, Mo.

Immediately following the breakfast, local students will perform oratorical and theatrical tributes to King in a program at the Osage Centre.

The breakfast will be part of celebrations occurring on three different dates. Holding events on different dates is a way to allow as much community participation in the events as possible, said Braxton.

The fourth annual birthday extravaganza will be held at the Osage Centre at 7 p.m on Oct. 12., featuring musical performances by local student, community and church musical ensembles.

St. James A.M.E. Church will host the 16th annual community celebration at 5 p.m., Jan. 15 where the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Service Award will be presented along with speeches and musical performances.

The Fifth Annual Humanitarian Benefit Luncheon will follow the breakfast at 11:30 a.m., Jan. 16 where attendees are asked to bring clothes, food and toiletries to help impoverished people locally. The Dr. C. John Ritter Humanitarian Award will also be presented at the luncheon.

At 4 p.m., also on Jan. 16, is the 10th Annual Youth Gala tat Westfield West Park mall. The gala will feature a program by area youth performing a variety of tributes to King and the Civil Rights Movement.

Reservations are required for the lunch and breakfast by Jan. 13 and nominations for the Service Award are due by Jan. 11. For more information call Braxton at 979-0213 or Johnnie Bridges-Green at 335-8832.

All events are open to the public.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182

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Schedule of events:

Jan. 12

Fourth Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Extravaganza, 7 p.m., Osage Community Centre

Jan. 15

16th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration, 5 p.m., St. James A.M.E. church, 516 North St.

Jan. 16

21st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast, 8:30 a.m., Osage Community Centre

Fifth Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Benefit Luncheon, noon, Osage Community Centre

10th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Gala, 4 p.m., West Park Mall