'The dream lives on'

To those who organized and participated in Monday's celebrations, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday isn't just a day to take off work, it's a day to honor a powerful legacy of service to humanity.

"This is not a day off, it's a day on," organizer Debra Mitchell-Braxton told the audience at the city's numerous observances.

The dream King spoke of in his famous 1968 speech hasn't died and wasn't just filed away after his assassination, said the Rev. Earl Nance Jr., pastor of Greater Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church in St. Louis. He was the featured speaker at the day's first event, the 20th annual Memorial Breakfast at the Show Me Center.

"The dream lives on, and there is more we have to do," Nance said.

While an increasing number of blacks serve as elected officials at all levels, Nance said, there is more to do in economic development, affordable health care and housing, and job training.

He reminded the audience that their forefathers achieved greatness after tribulation and they could do the same.

"If you see a wrong, right it; if you see an injustice eliminate it," he said. "If you have a dream, dream it and make it come true."

More than 1,100 people attended the breakfast, which was held by Southeast Missouri State University.

At noon, about 500 people filed into the Osage Community Centre for the fourth annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Benefit.

Speakers stressed the need to continue the humanitarian legacy of King until need no longer exists.

"You don't have to have a college degree or be a millionaire," said Mitchell-Braxton. "All you need is the desire to help. We need to be about helping other people."

NaKita Rowles with the Boys and Girls Club told the audience of their duty to help others, especially disadvantaged children.

"We are all fully aware of his accomplishments in civil rights," said Rowles. "This day we reflect on the impact of those events. But it's just as important to reflect on what he started. Every year we, as citizens of our community, should be making the change to make this a better community."

Featured speaker Larry Barnett, pastor of St. John Praise and Worship Center in Pulaski, Ill., told the crowd it was time for an end to excuses and time for adults to take the responsibility of raising well-educated, successful children.

"We must accept responsibility for what we create in our own homes," said Barnett. "We can't expect teachers and school administrators to do it for us. Our young men can do more than play basketball or run with a football or sing and slide across a stage. Our daughters can do more than compete as entertainers."

Quoting an old saying he learned while in Africa, Barnett said, "If there is no enemy within us, the enemy without can do no harm."

Barnett's speech stirred the crowd, but the emotional highlight came as the first of the Dr. C. John Ritter Humanitarian Service Award was accepted on behalf of the late Dr. Melvin Gillespie Sr. by Quantella Anderson, who had been engaged to Gillespie. Gillespie was the assistant to the president for equity issues at Southeast Missouri State University.As she began to address the crowd, tears welled up in her eyes.

"I had a speech prepared I thought would summarize Mel's life for those who knew him and introduce him to those who didn't," she said. "He had a dream to do a lot for the community and didn't have time. Now it's my job to carry on his dream in Cape and further his efforts."

Altha Robinson and Pamela Dumey were also honored with the award for their efforts to educate and motivate local children through music. Mitchell-Braxton praised both women for teaching children about diversity and beauty through the universal language.

The United Way of Southeast Missouri was also honored with the award for its efforts to make life better for the needy. Director Nancy Jernigan reminded everyone that need still exists in the community.

"We work hard to try and make sure people are not slipping through the cracks," Jernigan said. "A lot of people still need our help, people we don't know but still have the opportunity to come in contact with."

The day culminated with the 15th annual Gospel Extravaganza at Cape First Church, which also attracted about 500 people.

The final event exemplified the spiritual aspects of King's work with a gospel celebration. Several performers and speakers invoked the spirit of God to bless those assembled and give thanks.

"As a boy in 1968, I had no understanding of the historical significance of what I was seeing," said Gary Brothers, pastor of Cape First. "I learned a life lesson from Dr. King: Everybody has a dream and God has a dream for everybody. Make yourself at home and let's enjoy the dream tonight."

Performances by the Ec7 dance troupe, the Broken Vessel mime/interpretive dance group and the Regeneration Praise and Worship team -- all from Southeast's Regeneration Collegiate Ministries -- kept the crowd on their feet, cheering and lifting their hands to the sky.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Service Awards were then presented.

The first was given to an organization, the Michael S. Neighbors Scholarship Fund, for its work to ensure college educations for promising black students. The award was accepted by Vera Sterling, president and CEO of the fund.

Southeast professor Dr. Shelba Branscum was also chosen for the award for her service to the community in securing grants to help seniors and youths in the Cape Girardeau area. Dr. Ivy Locke, who nominated her for the award, said Branscum has secured hundreds of such grants in her 30 years at the university.

Gillespie received another posthumous award with the third Service Award going to him for his work on diversity at Southeast and his role of organizing past King celebrations.

The day was wrapped up by the guest performer at the celebration, Dr. Fairest Hill from Tampa, Fla., who delivered his message of hope and inspiration in a mix of song and speaking, turning the celebration into a virtual church service.

"What you did in 2004, it was good, but you have to get beyond that," he said. "It's 2005 now. In 2005, the dream is going to come alive. This is the season."

msanders@semissourian.com

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