Celebrating the Dream
Annual community event honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. welcomes cross section of central Ohio leaders
The legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. lives on in central Ohio, as business, community, and religious leaders gather, by the thousands, for what has become the largest breakfast celebration in the country to honor the slain civil rights pioneer.
Although Dr. King was killed more than four decades ago, his teachings remain relevant to all walks of life in and around our community, according to Bert Castle, executive director of the Martin Luther King Breakfast Committee.
“To give the opportunity for all people to come together and symbolically sit at the table of brotherhood gives young people the chance to express their thoughts on living the dream of Dr. King,” Mr. Castle said. “It is important every year to recognize the legacy of Dr. King, who touched the conscience of America with his dream of love, peace, justice, and a better world for everyone. It should be perpetuated, honored, and not forgotten.”
The first Dr. Martin Luther King Breakfast Birthday in Columbus was held on January 20, 1986 at the Sheraton Hotel downtown—with nearly 1,000 attending. The concept was spearheaded in 1985 by a group of women from Shiloh Baptist Church who wished to honor Dr. King with something more than a simple meal at church. They saw the celebration as a city-wide event that should recognize the proclamation made by President Ronald Reagan creating a federal holiday for the leader in 1983. During the more than 20 years since the first event was held, attendance has grown to nearly 6,000.
The 24th annual breakfast celebration will be held Monday, January 19, 2009 at The Greater Columbus Convention Center. Doors open at 7:00 a.m. and the program, featuring keynote speaker the Reverend Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Sr., will begin at 7:30 a.m.
For more information about the event, contact Bert Castle via
e-mail or call 614-252-0868.
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