MLK Jr. Day gets started on leader's true birth date

The holiday commemorating the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. isn't until Monday, but 400 people who came to the Osage Community Centre Wednesday night couldn't wait.

The event, billed as the first Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Extravaganza, was organized to honor the slain civil rights leader on his actual birth date. It was a primarily musical kickoff to area King celebrations, with music groups ranging from the 100-strong Central Middle School choir directed by Pamela Dumey to the four-member KIDS INC. choral group from Hobbs Chapel United Methodist Church.

The middle school choir was accompanied by a group of talented percussionists dressed in tiger-skin vests.

All were there to salute King on his actual birthday, as many people did before Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day became a national holiday. It is celebrated on the third Monday in January.

"I wanted to get back to honoring the actual birthday," said Debra Mitchell-Braxton, director of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Area-wide Celebration. "... Through music, people understand the meaning of civil rights."

Mitchell-Braxton intends the extravaganza to be held annually. She called the turnout "overwhelming."

As she has done at past King Day celebrations, Ramona Robinson brought the crowd to its feet with her rendition of "Abraham, Martin & John." Quitman McBride III was another favorite, singing "I Have a Dream."

Though it had only eight members, the Second Baptist Church youth choir was well-represented. The choir is directed by Sandra Smoot.

The Hobbs Chapel adult group, called ACTS, sang Christmas carols. Director Rayla Hogue added a solo.

Shantay Robinson also sang "I Believe I Can Fly."

Not everyone who performed at the event sang. David R. Allen Jr. and Ray Fambro, both seniors at Central High School, read essays about King.

As a group the assemblage sang "Lift Every Voice and Sing" and "God Bless America," the latter led by the Central Junior High School choir directed by Mike Dumey. Dumey and Tina Trickey also sang a duet titled "The Prayer."

Hip-hop was not neglected. Southeast Missouri State University student Joshua Jacob's tune, "Who Can I Turn To," asked the question, "Who can we turn to when right is wrong and wrong is right?" Emanuel Ware performed a hip-hop song titled "The Lord is My Shepherd."

Audience member Clara Daniels, whose cousin, Taylor King, sang with the junior high choir, pronounced the celebration a success.

"I liked us coming together like that," she said.

sblackwell@semissourian.com

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