Legislators, community honor King at breakfast

Sen. Hillman Frazier and Marian Talley, president of Mary Church Terrell Literary Society and associate pastor of Farish Street Baptist Church, enjoyed the event. Photos By Janice K. Neal-Vincent

By Janice K. Neal-Vincent

Contributing Writer

Sen. Hillman Frazier and Marian Talley, president of Mary Church Terrell Literary Society and associate pastor of Farish Street Baptist Church, enjoyed the event. Photos By Janice K. Neal-Vincent
Sen. Hillman Frazier and Marian Talley, president of Mary Church Terrell Literary Society and associate pastor of Farish Street Baptist Church, enjoyed the event. Photos By Janice K. Neal-Vincent

Hinds County black legislators, corporate partners, and Jackson community service organizations began their day Jan. 18, in Greater Bethlehem Temple’s family life center at the 24th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. prayer breakfast.

While breakfast was served, tables were decorated with JPS children’s artworks, and the stage was aligned with elected officials who demonstrated a consolidation of leadership and credibility as they reminisced about King, the Civil Rights Movement, present conditions and directions. The audience was filled with public officials, Jackson residents, and neighboring citizens who occasionally responded with applause, head nods and standing ovations.

At the outset Rep. Earle S. Banks set the pace as presiding officer. Soon to follow was the Rev. Tim Curston who began one of three prayers of cultural diversity. Those present then fervently sang James Weldon Johnson’s “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” that was backed up with “Dreamer’s Litany” led by Jean C. Frazier, director of business development, marketing and communications.

Rep. Chris Bell, D-65, delivered the occasion. He explained that King cried “for justice for a multicultural presence.” That presence was met with a timeframe when Mayor Tony Yarber of Jackson issued a caveat in his greetings: “How long depends on all of us. It is dependent upon the people in this room…leave to serve compassionately.”

Hinds County District Supervisor Peggy Hobson Calhoun stated that though King had been dead 48 years, “he would be pleased at the progress of the Civil and Voting Rights Acts, the presidency of Barack Obama, and Mississippi reporting 83 percent of black voter turnout, more than in any of the other states.” She then quipped that King may be disappointed that there are not more women officials, that Mississippi is the lowest percentage of anything that is bad, that the confederate flag continues to fly high, that some blacks did not vote on the flag situation, and that initiative 42 failed.

On behalf of corporate partners, Lawrence Johnson of Entergy thanked community leaders and legislators for their strides and expressed a desire to engage in team work.

Rosa L. T. Pridgen, chair of JMAA Board of Commissioners, informed the audience that the board opposes changes made of its present structure. She called forth team spirit when she told listeners, “You are poised for great investments. It is our prayer that you not be silent. The ultimate measure of a man or woman is where he or she stands in times of challenge and controversy.” Calling for a proactive stance, Pridgen left the audience with, “The focus is on JMAA today, but it may very well be on you tomorrow.”

Dr. Linda West, executive director of Mississippi Families for Kids, said frankly, “Dr. King wanted all of us to do the right thing. All children deserve at the end of the day to have a place to call home.”

Eventually, the offering of prayer was given in segments. Rep. Kathy Sykes, D-70, called for the peace of David “as he walked through the valley of the shadow of death.” She moved onward and said, “Give us the extraordinary peace that Dr. King had to allow us to have super ordinary courage…Give to the world that which we need most, peace.”

Mississippi College Graduate School of Law student Xiwei Wu, for Immigrant Citizens Rights Allianc, prayed, “Please help the youth practice respect and love and understand unity and equality. Help them learn the value of being servants and to quickly adapt to this new country (America).”

The Rev. Rims Barber gave a charging prayer when he told listeners, “Remember wherever you go, God is with you and He has sent you there. Go and make a difference for our state, nation, and world.”

Sen. Hillman Frazier, D-2, prayed, “We’re here because the state legislators have not funded the education of our children properly. God, you are able to make changes in hearts and families. We’re here praying for (greater youth participation) and the leadership of our country. Attend to our needs and bless us as we remember what Dr. King fought for.”

The Rev. James Heneley said to God, “We come this morning trusting in you, for we know that you can unify us.”

Rep. Jarvis Dortch, D-66 concluded, “We remain hopeful for the future. We thank you Lord for your love.”

Not only was the audience held captive by the rhetorical stances, but they were moved by The Lion King, sung by Calandra Davis Daniel accompanied by her mother on the guitar.

The following elementary schools were acknowledged: Baker, Green, Johnson, Lee, North Jackson, Dawson, Marshall, and Oak Forest, as well as Jim Hill, Murrah, and Callaway high Schools.

Ushers were Beta Delta Omega and Rho Lambda Omega chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and National Council of Negro Women.

Several respondents to the event stood out.

“This was a very befitting program, a reminder of all the sacrifices…made for humanity,” stated Marshand Crisler, deputy chief administrative officer for the city of Jackson.

Marian Talley, president of Mary Church Terrell Literary Society and associate pastor of Farish Street Baptist Church noted, “The program was truly inspiring and timely. It honored the life and work of Dr. King (and referenced) community challenges which we must be aware of and participate in were outstanding.”

Sponsors were Entergy; Atmos Energy, Bank Plus, American Medical Response, Hinds County Sheriff’s Department, Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Co, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Alpha Delta Zeta Chapter, Chris Bell Insurance Agency, UAW and Ebony Pearl Foundation, Inc.

Community partners were Magnolia Health – Centene Corp. Alpha Phi Alpha – Alpha Epsilon Lambda Chapter, Buddy Medlin and Associates, Willie Bozeman, Catholic Charities, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. – Jackson (MS) Alumni Chapter, Hinds County Democratic Executive, Mississippi Immigrants Rights Alliance, Thompson and Associates, Mary Church Terrell, Peoples Funeral Home, Inc. and Autumn Woods Memorial Gardens.

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