Monday’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr National Holiday Celebration, sponsored by the Marion County Diversified Civic and Social Concerns Organization [MCDCSCO], brought a city together to remember what MLK stood for, and how, if everyone is working together, a better future can be had for everyone in Jefferson.
The Rev. Dr. Rufus Watters of New Zion Baptist Church provided the opening prayer.
The evenings repast was provided by Catfish Express.
Lola Pullum took part of the program to read messages from past MCDCSCO scholarship recipients and to note that four $1,000 scholarships, and one $2,500 scholarship, were given to graduating Marion County seniors in the spring of 2022.
Jefferson native Jerry Smith provided the keynote address to a packed house at the Jefferson Visitor’s Center. Smith spoke on the evening’s theme of “Service to Others” and focused on how everyone should stop dwelling on the past and look to a brighter, better future.
“The world is a busy place and dr king left us with one message we should take to heart: The world is ours. Whatever we’re willing to put into it we will get out of it,” Smith said as he opened his remarks.
“Life is about the unexpected. Only a fool drives down a superhighway looking in his rearview mirror. The past is the past. You can only learn from it and prepare for the future,” he said.
Dr. King was a teacher. He taught us lessons we learn from today. If you don’t k now about Dr. King, it’s because you don’t want to. Dr. King is different to each one of us.
“We cannot envision what our grandchildren will see. But if we commit ourselves to the dream of a better communities; better schools; a better police force; better justice system they have a better chance of achieving our dreams and their dreams. Dr. King left us a roadmap.
“Dr. King was killed because he was an activist. He tried to change the community around him. Service is what we here tonight is what we need to take away tonight from what Dr. King taught. He was killed because he wanted to help other people.
“What are we doing for the others here in Jefferson? It’s a deep question as we all think we’re perfect in our own little way. We believe we’ve done the best we can in our own way. I ask you to look at that and see how you could have done better and made a better difference in our community.
“We need to admit that we cannot build a better Jefferson by looking back on the past. The future of Jefferson is our children and our schools.”
“Today is today. Today make a difference. And if you’re blessed with tomorrow, repeat it,” he concluded.
The event program also featured musical numbers by Lynette Bonner and Christi Body, as well as the closing song of “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
Bishop Ander Graham of Under the Lights Ministry provided the benediction.
The annual event serves as a fundraiser and membership drive for MCDCSCO. Membership in the organization is open to everyone, is $20 per year per person, and can be obtained by contacting any officer in the organization. The group, founded by Jessie Mae Walker, is led by president Mary Spearmon, vice president Joyce Smith, secretary Edgwena Tarpley, and treasurer Roderick Burton.
A video of the evening’s activities, including Smith’s full speech is available on the Jimplecute’s YouTube Channel. Smith’s original remarks are on page 5.