Message of hope: Local events celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day

It's an annual event, but this year, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast and Humanitarian Luncheon at the Osage Community Centre fell on the eve of history, and attendees and presenters weren't afraid to express their joy.

"In less than 24 hours, we'll have our first African-American president inaugurated," organizer Debra Mitchell-Braxton said before the luncheon. "That's something to be proud of, isn't it?"

That pride was evident at the two events, not just because president-elect Barack Obama was so close to taking the oath of office, but because society has come to a point where that oath is possible.

The breakfast began a few minutes past the 8 a.m. start time listed on the front of the program, but the Rev. Adrian Jones of Prospect Hill Missionary Baptist Church in St. Louis steered the event on course after about 400 guests shuffled through the buffet line.

Jones used the theme of progress to present a message aimed at the many children chowing down on bacon and eggs.

"Thank God for our forefathers," he said. "You may be young, you may be restless, but you can make it."

Recently retired KFVS12 anchorman Mike Shain, who served as master of ceremonies, praised Mitchell-Braxton for raising awareness of the holiday in Southeast Missouri by turning what was once just a breakfast into an all-day event and helping make it possible for so many children to hear Jones' words.

"When the schools did not honor Dr. King with the day off ... she set out to change that," Shain said. "And if you notice, there are a lot of kids here today."

Children from Sikeston, Mo.-area youth groups presented a musical narrative about Dr. King's life and struggle. KZIM radio personality and mistress of ceremonies Faune Riggin congratulated the crimson-clad youths for memorizing most of their lines. The conservative talk show host also explained that the day was about tolerance, not politics.

"As a white American, if I do not embrace the culture of other people, I will not understand them," she said.

After a midday meal of spaghetti, chicken wings and salad, the Rev. James Jackson of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Murphysboro, Ill., offered his definition of giving back.

"The most important part of humanitarianism is the action you to take toward other people, because they are members of the human race," he said. "Assist those on the basis of need without discrimination among recipients."

Braxton finished the program by presenting the Dr. C. John Ritter Humanitarian Service Awards. Those honored included Geraldine Lee, Beulah Vann Perry, Charlotte Wade and Lloyd Williams. New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church and Cape LaCroix United Methodist Church were also recognized for building a new home for New Bethel's pastor Johnny Williams, whose previous living conditions caused him respiratory problems.

Williams acknowledged his good Samaritans, who stood at the podium behind him.

"This is the first winter in years that I have not gone to the doctor for breathing problems," he said. "I didn't do anything for any of these people. They didn't owe me anything."