Dr. King remembered

Ormond Beach Observer
Neighbors

The gymnasium at South Ormond Neighborhood Center was filled with music and prayer as well as thoughtful, emotional words as more than 100 people attended the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast Celebration on Jan. 16.

The ceremony included an interpretive dance by Divine Dance Ministry, of Emmanuel Church of the Living God; and a passionate “spoken word” presentation by Eullisa Boyd, which brought the crowd to its feet.

Tina Carlyle, RN, committee chairwoman, said before the event that when she thinks of King’s legacy, she thinks of togetherness.

“It’s seeing people for who they are, not the color of their skin,” she said. “We have to keep his legacy alive, with all the craziness in the world today.”

The establishment of Martin Luther King Jr. Day has been important, not only for the young people, but to remind older people of his work, said Pastor Gary Pelham.

“My grandmother used to say you’re never too old to be hard-headed,” he said.

The theme of the breakfast was “Bridging the Gap from Past to Present.”

Minister Lynn Thompson told the crowd that to bridge a gap, you need a substance, and that substance is the word of God.

“How could Martin Luther King do all those things?” he said. “He had no legislative power. He did it with the word of God.”

King’s accomplishments in the area of equal rights were honored.

“We celebrate his life and legacy,” Elder Anthony Marc Graham, of Emmanuel Church of the Living God, told the crowd. “The things he accomplished help us have a more abundant life.”

He said he was a “product of segregation,” and he has seen the positive impact that integration has had.

The main speaker was Regina Nunnelly, who said she continued in school and became an attorney because her parents taught her to finish what she started, even if she didn’t sometimes enjoy it. She encouraged everyone to take care of their own home and responsibilities.

The event was sponsored by the city of Ormond Beach and Vitas Healthcare. Preparing and serving the food were volunteers from Bethune-Cookman University and Daytona Black Nursing Association.