By Nyesha Stone
Community leaders came together to celebrate the legacy of Dr. King. (Picture by YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee)
Right at the start of the morning on Jan. 21, at 7 a.m., the Italian Community Center opened its doors to community leaders and the youth for the 22nd Annual MLK Celebration Breakfast, which was hosted by the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee. As one of the largest MLK events in Wisconsin, around 600 people were in attendance.
The breakfast also featured three students who honored King with their speeches.
CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee, Carrie Wall said yes, it’s important to celebrate Dr. King’s legacy, but we have to remember to continue to find ways to teach our youth about his great legacy.
“We have a commitment to bring his legacy alive,”
Wall said about the importance of their annual breakfast. “We want people to hear his message and understand how important it is.” Wall said it’s time for community leaders and those with power in the city, to come together to have one vision: at that’s a better future for ourselves and our children.
It’s true that every year the country celebrates King, but it’s more than just a legacy it’s a lifestyle. To actually care and love one another, no matter anything else—race, economic status, education, etc.— should be what we’re aiming for.
Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes personality took the stage as he kept the audience laughing and inspired. Barnes used his time to discuss a variety of issues, but they all come down to one thing: human decency.
At the age of 32, King would be proud of Barnes accomplishments, but Barnes knows it’s so much he has to do.
“Too many people are working harder for less,” he said about hardworking Wisconsinites who are living paycheck to paycheck. “We’re working hard to drive change.”
Everyone knows the issue plaguing the city and the state, and we know the words of King, so now it’s time to put everything into action.