On Monday, January 15, 2024, the Nepperhan Community Center held its annual MLK breakfast. Together, elected officials and community members embraced this event as an opportunity to honor the efforts, legacy, and leadership of the late civil rights activist—Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The event also highlighted the ways radical change and social justice can be achieved in modern times.
The Nepperhan Community Center’s annual gathering not only created a safe space for the celebration to occur, but it further amplified the significance of Black voices. Specifically, in taking the time to shed light upon the plethora of injustices, barriers, and brutality Black people have historically undergone and continue to face.
About the holiday
Martin Luther King Day is a holiday dedicated to commemorating the life of Dr. King and his selfless fight towards obtaining human rights for everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, class, religion, gender, etc. Through Dr. King, we see how liberating and lambent life could be without the pressures to conform to societal ideals of superiority, status, and success; and being in a constant battle with white supremacy and systematic racism.
The King Holiday Bill was in legislation for 15 years before it became a national holiday on November 2, 1982. It would take the unwavering perseverance of individuals like Coretta Scott King, John Conyers Jr., and Stevie Wonder for the holiday to be considered less a costly burden and received as a respectable remembrance of Black history. The holiday acts as a sign of respect for a man that risked his life to ensure that countless others wouldn’t have to deal with such a harsh reality, and instead live in a more impartial and inclusive one.
Presently, MLK Day is a reminder that there is always room for improvement. Particularly when it comes to bettering communities that require more economic security, protections, and emotional support. Compassion and diligence go a long way in redefining and reconstructing unfulfilled promises, failed systems, and broken communities.
Leaders celebrate
This year, Mayor Mike Spano and Jadakiss’ family-owned coffee company, Kiss Cafe, sponsored and helped to facilitate the event. As speeches delivered by Martin Luther King played in the background, attendees happily congregated with each other during this special occasion. Whether it was by dancing, listening to music, or taking photos together, no one was left out. Over 200 tickets were sold and without a doubt, the center was filled with immense unity, love, and peace.
Dr. Nigel Cole was the designated speaker; discussing Dr. King’s role within and outside of the Black community. Specifically about the significance of remembering the innovator not only on his birthday or when it’s convenient, but rather, always.
Whether it was in Memphis or Chicago, he was there. Fighting that battle and carrying on that fight for us.
The Nepperhan Community Center continues to empower children and families and push its members towards honoring and learning from those that came before us; to be truthful about society as well as ourselves; and to take the experiences—hardships and suffering—and overall wisdom of prominent and powerful figures like Martin Luther King Jr., with caution, courage, and an open mind.
Watch
Rev A Bryan Allen singing, I Won’t Complain, at the Nepperhan Community Center.
