Dream Big

After going virtual for a couple of years due to the pandemic, the city of Carson’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. tribute was back at the city’s event center. This year’s ceremony, which was held on Jan. 13 was a dedication not only to King but to some of the Carson residents who embody his message as well.

The auditorium was almost filled to capacity by the time everything kicked off. The assistant pastor of Atherton Baptist Church and Carson native Lestor E. Barrie led the room with a prayer. Music was a major element of the night’s festivities and a four-man band on the side of the stage made sure to keep the mood right throughout.

After some music and an introduction from the Director of Community Services/Parks and Recreation, Michael Whittiker Jr., the council members who were in attendance took to the stage to tell everyone how Dr. King influenced them and also gave their praises to him.

“Dr. King was an educator, a leader of man, and he’s someone we could all look up to,” councilman Jim Dear said. “I want all children of every ethnic group to understand that he was an American patriot that made America stronger. His sacrifices for us and for our children and their children afterward made America a better place and so we in Carson, we celebrate his life in this event every year.”

Of the various speakers to share the stage, many wanted to remind us of what Dr. King’s dream for America meant, and especially, what it meant to the youth of today’s generation and how everything he said 60 years ago was still oh so relevant today and will forever be.

To the young people that are here, the future is yours,” Councilman Cedric Hicks said when he was speaking. “Dream big, but understand it starts from you, it comes from you and it’s all about you.”

Carson’s youth played a big role throughout the night. Three of them were awarded certificates for wonderful essays that were written about Dr. King and what his words meant to them. Honor Walker, Kerrington Rollins and Layla Philips were given these honors. Walker was given the first place prize for her essay which she called “Empowered, by Martin Luther King Jr. to Impact Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.” Also, young man Apollo Powers came to the podium in a nice suit to share his impassioned speech regarding justice which he called “Road to Justice.”

Throughout the night there were musical performances by a couple of residents and a gentleman who went by the name of Nic Miller. Miller sang a few songs and also closed the ceremony near the end with some more melodies.

State senator Steven Bradford, author and producer Kevin Hooks and a few others also graced the stage with their presences to tell everyone what Dr. King’s words meant to them and how they are carrying and living by his words today.

“As we all know, this April will mark the 60th anniversary of that iconic speech ‘I have a Dream,’” Bradford said. “But, if you know the history, that was not the speech Dr. King was giving that day, it was about emancipation, it was about the debt owed to the Negro in this country, it was about the poverty and separation that existed.”

The night ended in melody and a word of thanks from Carson’s mayor Lula-Davis Holmes. After she was done, everyone who attended was invited to a snack, some refreshments and to dream big.