Martin Luther King Breakfast in Plainfield

On Monday I joined hundreds of people at Plainfield High School to celebrate the life and accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King.  I estimated three hundred and fifty people were present. Hosted by Frontiers International's Plainfield chapter, this event is one of the highlights of the year in Plainfield.  And the breakfast lived up to its well deserved reputation.  The highlights:

• Upon entering the high school auditorium, attendees were able to view riveting film footage of the March to Montgomery.
• six outstanding young people, all graduating high school seniors, were given college scholarships.  Getting up before the audience, each student thanked those who supported their academic success, demonstrating that you can get a good education in the Plainfield Public Schools.
• a performance by the Plainfield High School jazz band, which elicited gasps and cries of pleasure and surprise from the audience when the female vocalist began to sing.  Very sophisticated style for such a young person.  Made me think of Sara Vaughn.
• the Plainfield High School dancers were outstanding and brought down the house.
• Mayor Adrian Mapp gave opening remarks and welcomed guest speaker Mayor Ras Baraka.   Superintendent Anna Belin-Pyles also welcomed the community to the high school.
• Ras Baraka gave an impassioned speech on the need to build on Dr Kings life works and reminded the audience that Dr King's work was evolving from a civil rights advocacy to a more global approach encompassing world peace and economic prosperity.

If you have never been at an MLK breakfast in Plainfield, I strongly recommend you go next year. And during the year, take positive actions in accordance with Dr. Kings teachings.