Visions of Unity Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Hazard

Today, in celebration of the national holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., KFTC members from Perry and Letcher counties joined hundreds of folks from eastern Kentucky organizations, churches, schools, businesses and communities for the annual MLK Day Community Breakfast hosted by Hazard Community & Technical College.  This year's event, held at HCTC's main campus in Hazard, featured the theme 'Visions of Unity' and keynote speaker Renee Michelle Shaw of KET. 

Building on opening remarks, "Dr. King had more than a dream, he had a vision", Ms. Shaw drew parallels between the vision of King and the visions many communities in eastern Kentucky are working toward, including the eradication of poverty, educational attainment, and "transformative progress."  Shaw made specific note of the disproportion of "young black men in prison garb rather than graduation gowns." 

The event also featured a community service project with information tables from local organizations. The Perry County KFTC Chapter used this space to share upcoming legislative session events and talk with attendees about HB 70 , a Restoration of Voting Rights amendment, and our upcoming Voting Rights Lobby Day on March 8.

Russell Oliver said he was "glad to see KFTC front and center at a different kind of event."  We signed up two new Perry County members, sold two T-shirts, and collected several signatures on the Voting Rights petition, including new Cordia School boy's basketball coach and former UK basketball star, Rodick Rhodes.  Coach Rhodes, along with Perry Chapter member and Cordia director Alice Whitaker brought the Cordia boys basketball team out to the event.

During the ceremony HCTC Director of Cultural Diversity Elbert Hagans read aloud the names of Appalachian African-American teachers from several eastern Kentucky counties while local NAACP president, Ludrenia Hagans-Sheperd lit candles in their honor.  He later thanked the local organizations who participated in the community service project by reading each name aloud (including Perry County KFTC), while Letcher County Steering Committee Rep., Elizabeth Sanders volunteered with WMMT equipment to capture audio from the event.

Shortly after, local KFTC member and HCTC professor, Jenny Williams presented this year's MLK March banner created by youth attendees of the ceremony.  After the breakfast and keynote event, this banner and youth from the event lead a musical and lively march into downtown Hazard to Consolidated Baptist Church for more speakers, a gospel choir performance and luncheon, all hosted by the church.