PBS WISCONSIN MARTIN LUTHER
KING TRIBUTE, EVENING EDITION,
JANUARY 15, 2024.
JONATHAN OVERBY LATINO VP MARTIN
LUTHER KING MARTIN LUTHER KING,
JR. VANESSA MCDOWELL MONTANO JR.
DARGAN GREENHALGH MICAH
HUNTLEY-COOPER EDWARD EMMANUEL
MARIACHI JUVENIL GRANDES LEGOS
ALEXANDREA MEKYAH
TEST TEST.
>> GOOD EVENING.
THISTHANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR
THIS SPECIAL OCCASION TO
CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF DR. MARTIN
LUTHER KING JR.
TEST TEST.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR
THIS SPECIAL OCCASION TO
CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF DR. MARTIN
LUTHER KING JR.
TEST TEST.
>> GOOD EVENING.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR
THIS SPECIAL OCCASION TO
CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF DR. MARTIN
LUTHER KING, JR.
TEST TEST.
>> GOOD EVENING.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR
THIS SPECIAL OCCASION TO
CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF DR. MARTIN
LUTHER KING, JR.
TEST TEST.
>> GOOD EVENING.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR
THIS SPECIAL OCCASION TO
CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF DR. MARTIN
LUTHER KING, JR.
TEST TEST.
>> GOOD EVENING.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR
THIS SPECIAL OCCASION TO
CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF DR. MARTIN
LUTHER KING, JR.
TEST TEST.
>> GOOD EVENING.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR
THIS SPECIAL OCCASION TO
CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF DR. MARTIN
LUTHER KING, JR.
TEST TEST.
>> GOOD EVENING.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR
THIS SPECIAL OCCASION TO
CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF DR. MARTIN
LUTHER KING, JR.
TEST TEST.
>> GOOD EVENING.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR
THIS SPECIAL OCCASION TO
CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF DR. MARTIN
LUTHER KING, JR.
TEST TEST.
>> THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM IS A
PBS WISCONSIN ORIGINAL
PRODUCTION.
?
>> BECAUSE I HAVE A DREAM THAT
MY FOUR LITTLE CHILDREN WILL ONE
DAY LIVE IN A NATION WHERE THEY
WILL NOT BE JUDGED BY THE COLOR
OF THEIR SKIN, BUT BY THE
CONTENT OF THEIR CHARACTER.
I HAVE A DREAM TODAY.
[APPLAUSE]
>> HELLO.
I'M DR. JONATHAN OVERBY.
WELCOME TO THE STATE OF
WISCONSIN'S 43rd ANNUAL
TRIBUTE AND CEREMONY HONORING
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
COMING UP, YOU'LL SEE
HIGHLIGHT'S FROM TODAY'S EVENT
RECORDED HERE IN THE STATE
CAPITOL ROTUNDA.
OUR GUEST SPEAKER IS REVEREND
MARCUS ALLEN, MT. ZION BAPTIST
CHURCH.
WE'LL HAVE MUSIC TO CELEBRATE
KING'S LIFE AND WORDS TO REFLECT
ON HIS LEGACY.
I HOPE THAT YOU ENJOY THESE
HIGHLIGHTS FROM TODAY'S TRIBUTE
AND CEREMONY HONORING DR. MARTIN
LUTHER KING, JR.
>> WELCOME.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON.
>> ALL RIGHT!
MY NAME IS VANESSA MCDOWELL, CEO
OF WYCA-MADISON, EXCITED TO BE
HERE TODAY WITH ALL OF YOU.
AND I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE AND THE
HONOR OF INTRODUCING A GOVERNOR
WHO SEES US ALL.
SO HELP ME WELCOME GOVERNOR,
WISCONSIN GOVERNOR TONY EVERS.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYBODY,
AND THANK YOU, VANESSA, FOR THAT
KIND INTRODUCTION.
IT'S MY PLEASURE TO WELCOME YOU
TODAY TO THE WISCONSIN STATE
CAPITOL FOR THE 43rd ANNUAL
TRIBUTE AND CEREMONY HONORING
DR. MARTIN LUTHER MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
TODAY WE REMEMBER HIS TIRELESS
FIGHT FOR ALL PEOPLE AND REFLECT
ON HOW HIS LEGACY STILL LIVES ON
ACROSS WISCONSIN, ACROSS THE
COUNTRY AND ACROSS THE WORLD.
IN CELEBRATING DR. KING, WE
RECOMMIT OURSELVES EVERY DAY TO
THESE IMPORTANT GOALS: TO
FINDING THE THINGS THAT UNITE US
RATHER THAN DIVIDE US AND TO THE
VALUES WE HOLD DEAR.
I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING
THIS IMPORTANT WORK TOGETHER IN
2024 AND BEYOND AS WE LOOK TO
ONE DAY ACHIEVE THAT FUTURE THAT
DR. KING ENVISIONED FOR US.
SO THANK YOU.
AND NOW WITH THAT, IT IS MY
DISTINCT PLEASURE TO PRESENT
THIS PROCLAMATION.
AND I WILL FIND IT.
RIGHT HERE.
PRESENT THIS PROCLAMATION TO
DR. OVERBY RECOGNIZING TODAY AS
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY
THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF
WISCONSIN AND HONORING DR. KING
FOR HIS PROFOUND LEGACY AND
LASTING IMPACT THAT STILL LIVES
ON IN OUR STATE TODAY.
JONATHAN?
[APPLAUSE]
>> HEY, HOW ABOUT THIS, HUH?
HELLO, EVERYONE.
GOOD TO SEE YOU.
[APPLAUSE]
>> DR. KING SAID THAT JUSTICE IS
BEST SERVED IN A SPIRIT OF LOVE,
CORRECTING EVERYTHING THAT
STANDS AGAINST LOVE, AND WE HAVE
MUCH TO CORRECT.
THESE POINTED WORDS AUTHORED BY
DR. KING, THEY SHOULD INSPIRE US
ALL TO ACTION TODAY, TO REDUCE
OUR NEGATIVE PERCEPTIONS OF EACH
OTHER AND TO REACH OUT
FIGURATIVELY SPEAKING ACROSS THE
AISLE, TO REDUCE FEAR, WHICH IS
GRIPPING OUR NATION,
INDIFFERENCE AND THIS
DEEP-SEATED HATRED FOR PEOPLE
JUST BECAUSE THEY LOOK
DIFFERENT.
THIS HAS GOT TO STOP.
SO I SAY TO YOU TODAY, LET US
CELEBRATE EACH OTHER IN THE
SPIRIT OF DR. KING AS WE, THE
PEOPLE OF WISCONSIN, GATHER TO
CELEBRATE NOT ONLY HIM, BUT
THOSE THAT HAVE SUFFERED FROM
THE SHACKLES OF HATRED,
MARGINALIZATION, PEOPLE WHO ARE
IMMIGRANTS WHO WANT TO COME HERE
BECAUSE THEY SEE A BETTER
OPPORTUNITY, WOMEN WHO ARE STILL
TRYING TO CRACK THE GLASS
CEILING.
WE MUST SHED THIS FEAR OF
RESENTMENT FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO
LOVE SOMEBODY JUST BECAUSE THEY
WANT TO LOVE THEM.
SO I SAY TO YOU ALL TODAY HERE
IN WISCONSIN, AS DR. KING SAID,
LET US DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN A
SPIRIT OF LOVE.
AMEN?
AMEN.
ALL RIGHT.
[APPLAUSE]
>> NOW, DO YOU KNOW YOU THE HOME
AND BIRTHPLACE OF TRADITIONAL
GOSPEL MUSIC?
DO YOU KNOW WHERE THAT IS?
I DO.
AND I'M DELIGHTED THAT WE ARE
NOT ONLY GOING TO GET A TASTE OF
IT, BUT SOME REAL SOUL FOOD
TODAY FROM THE CHICAGO MASS
CHOIR.
PLEASE GIVE THEM A BIG HAND,
WITH DR. WILLIAMSON LEADING THIS
ORGANIZATION FOR SO MANY YEARS.
GIVE IT UP FOR THEM!
CHICAGO MASS CHOIR.
? WHEN EVERYTHING ELSE FAILS
ME ?
? I CAN GO TO THE ROCK ?
? WHEN TROUBLES AROUND ME ?
? I CAN GO TO THE ROCK ?
? GOD PROMISED THAT HE WOULD
KEEP ME ?
? IF I ABIDE IN HIS HOLY WORD ?
? NO MATTER WHAT THE PROBLEM ?
? I CAN GO TO THE ROCK ?
? WHEN EVERYTHING ELSE FAILS ?
? I CAN GO TO THE ROCK ?
? WHEN TROUBLES AROUND ME ?
? I CAN GO TO THE ROCK ?
? GOD PROMISED THAT HE WOULD
KEEP ME ?
? IF I ABIDE IN HIS HOLY WORD ?
? NO MATTER WHAT THE PROBLEM ?
? I CAN GO TO THE ROCK ?
? JESUS, MY WAYMAKER ?
? HE MAKES A WAY EACH AND EVERY
DAY ?
? NO MATTER WHAT THE PROBLEM ?
? I CAN GO TO THE ROCK ?
? JESUS, MY HEART FIXER ?
? WHEN I AM SAD HE MAKES ME
GLAD ?
? NO MATTER WHAT THE PROBLEM ?
? I CAN GO TO THE ROCK ?
? JESUS, MY WAYMAKER ?
? JESUS, MY STRONG TOWER ?
? JESUS, MY HEART FIXER ?
? I CAN GO TO THE ROCK ?
? NO MATTER WHAT THE PROBLEM ?
? I CAN GO TO THE ROCK ?
[APPLAUSE]
>> IT'S TIME FOR OF THE FIRST
PRESENTATION OF THE 2024 MLK
HERITAGE AWARD.
LISA JONES IS THE RECIPIENT THIS
YEAR, AND SHE IS THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR AND THE LEAD ORGANIZER
OF MILWAUKEE INNER CITY
CONGREGATIONS ALLIED FOR HOPE,
OR MICAH.
IT'S A MULTIRACIAL, INTERFAITH
ORGANIZATION COMMITTED TO
ADDRESSING JUSTICE ISSUES IN THE
COMMUNITY OF MILWAUKEE.
THAT'S MY HOMETOWN, SO THERE'S
SOME WORK TO BE DONE, I KNOW FOR
SURE.
I THANK HER FOR BEING HERE TODAY
AND FOR GOOD WORK AND FOR HER
MISSION TO SECURE ALTERNATIVES
TO JUST SENDING FOLKS TO JAIL
WHEN THERE COULD BE SOME OTHER
PATHWAY TO THEIR RECOVERY RECOVERY AND
THEIR REHABILITATION, IF YOU
WILL.
[APPLAUSE]
>> SO IT'S MY PLEASURE, COME ON,
ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICE OF
GOVERNOR TONY EVERS, I AM
PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT LISA
JONES IS RECIPIENT OF THE
WISCONSIN 2024 MLK HERITAGE
AWARD.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> WOW.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, GOVERNOR
EVERS AND THE SELECTION
COMMITTEE AND THOSE WHO
NOMINATED ME.
I WAS LIKE WHERE DID YOU GET
THAT DESCRIPTION OF ME AND ALL
THE THINGS THAT I'VE DONE?
BUT SOMEHOW SOMEONE KNEW ME, AND
I REALLY PRESSURE APPRECIATE THAT.
THIS REMINDS ME OF THE LESSONS
THAT MY PARENTS TAUGHT ME.
MY MOTHER'S NO LONGER HERE WITH
US, BUT I REMEMBER SITTING WITH
MY MOM AND DAD WATCHING TONY
BROWN'S JOURNAL.
HOW MANY PEOPLE REMEMBER TONY
BROWN'S JOURNAL?
[APPLAUSE]
>> AND ALL THE JUSTICE WORK AND
ALL THE THINGS.
SO IT REALLY FORMED ME IN WHO I
AM.
AND SO I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE
WORK THAT GOD HAS CALLED ME TO
DO IN THIS FAITH WORK,
REPRESENTING THE FAITH
COMMUNITY, LOVING COMMUNITY FOR
AN OPPRESSION-FREE WORLD.
I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR THAT!
[APPLAUSE]
>> AND I KNOW THAT GOD KEEPS
CALLING ALL OF US AND I KNOW
THAT THIS IS MICAH'S 35TH YEAR.
IN 1988 CLERGY CAME TOGETHER TO
CREATE MICAH AND SO FOR 35 YEARS
MICAH HAS BEEN DOING THIS RACIAL
JUSTICE WORK IN MILWAUKEE AND IN
THE STATE AND UNITED STATES.
AND WE'RE AN AFFILIATE OF
WISDOM.
AND THAT THEME TODAY, "ONE DAY,
ONE DAY."
I BELIEVE IN THAT ONE DAY
BECAUSE DR. KING BELIEVED IN
THAT ONE DAY.
HE BELIEVED IN AN
OPPRESSION-FREE WORLD WHERE WE
ARE ALL HEALTHY, WE ARE ALL
FIERCELY AND MENTALLY HEALTHY
AND WE HAVE EVERYTHING WE NEED.
SO MAYBE THERE WILL BE ONE DAY
WHEN WE DON'T NEED FOOD PANTRIES
BECAUSE EVERYBODY WILL HAVE THE
FOOD THAT THEY NEED.
EVERYBODY WILL HAVE A JOB.
[APPLAUSE]
>> WE CAN FIND -- WE WILL HAVE
ALTERNATIVES TO ALL THESE
STUMTION OFSYSTEMS OF OPPRESSION.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO JUST LEAVE
YOU WITH A COUPLE OF QUOTES.
AND THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST
QUOTES I REMEMBER, WHY I DO THIS
WORK.
INJUSTICE ANYWHERE IS A THREAT
TO JUSTICE EVERYWHERE.
SO WHEN YOUR SIBLING IS HURTING,
THAT MEANS YOU HURTING, TOO.
AND THEN THIS IS ONE OF MY BEST
QUOTES I LOVE FROM HIM.
AND HE SAID THIS: IF YOU LOSE
HOPE SOMEHOW, YOU LOSE THE
VITALITY THAT KEEPS MOVING.
YOU LOSE THAT COURAGE TO BE,
THAT QUALITY THAT HELPS YOU GO
OUT IN SPITE OF IT ALL.
AND SO TODAY I STILL HAVE A
DREAM.
LET US ALL REMEMBER TO KEEP
ANSWERING DR. KING'S CALL THAT
ONE DAY, ONE DAY WE CAN GET TO A
PERMANENT, BELOVED COMMUNITY
WITHOUT OPPRESSION.
ONE DAY.
THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE]
>> HERE'S THE NATIONAL,
AWARD-WINNING LATINO ARTS STRING
PROGRAM, ESTABLISHED AT THE
UNITED COMMUNITY CENTER IN
MILWAUKEE, CREATED AND DIRECTED
TODAY BY DINORAH MARQUEZ AND
DESIGNED TO SERVE AS A
PRE-COLLEGE MUSIC TRAINING
PROGRAM FOR LATINO STUDENTS.
AND IT PROVIDES THEM WITH
INSTRUMENTS, MUSIC MATERIALS,
INDIVIDUAL LESSONS, SMALL GROUP
AND LARGER ORCHESTRAS.
AND THIS MARIACHI ENSEMBLE IS
ONE OF THE FINEST TO COME OUT OF
OUR COUNTRY.
MAESTRA MARQUEZ NOW LEADS ONCE
AGAIN THE MARIACHI JUVENIL
GRANDES LEGOS.
[APPLAUSE]
?
[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
?
[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> IT IS TIME NOW FOR THE
PRESENTATION OF OUR NEXT MLK TER
TAIJHERITAGE AWARD.
SINCE 2012 DANIEL DANIELS HAS
LED GROWTH, ACCESSIBILITY TO
MADISON COLLEGE.
HIS TENURE INCLUDES COMPLETING
THE BUILD OUT OF MADISON
COLLEGE'S CAMPUSES, INSTRUCTING
THE GOOD MAN SOUTH CAMPUS,
CREATING PARTNERSHIPS,
ESTABLISHING A CORPORATE
TRAINING CENTER AND CREATING
MADISON COLLEGE'S STEM CENTER.
ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICE OF
GOVERNOR TONY EVERS, I AM
PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT
DR. JACK E. DANIELS III,
PRESIDENT OF MADISON COLLEGE, IS
A RECIPIENT OF THE WISCONSIN
2024 MLK HERITAGE AWARD.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF
DR. JACK E. DANIELS III.
FIRST, THANK YOU FOR THE 2024
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
HERITAGE AWARD.
I'M SO SORRY I'M NOT ABLE TO BE
WITH YOU THIS AFTERNOON.
I'M DEEPLY HONORED AND
APPRECIATIVE OF THIS RECOGNIZE
NATIONRECOGNITION.
I'M THANKFUL TO THIS COMMUNITY
FOR ITS SUPPORT PROVIDING
CRITICAL INPUT AND FRIENDSHIP.
BUT WHAT IS KEY IS OUR
COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS TO MAKE
CHANGE.
COLLABORATION IS BEST TO MAKE
CRITICAL CHANGE AND KEEPING US
ACCOUNTABLE IS KEY TO ENSURING
THAT THE CHANGE EVIDENCES ITSELF
AND IS SUSTAINABLE.
MY FOCUS SINCE I ARRIVED OVER
TEN YEARS AGO IS TO UNDERSTAND
THE COMMUNITY NEED AND INSTITUTE
KEY INTERVENTIONS TO MEET THE
NEED.
THOUGH MANY SEE GOODMAN SOUTH
CAMPUS AS AN EXPRESSION OF
MEETING THAT NEED, AND
DESERVEDLY SO, IT COMES THROUGH
LOUD AND CLEAR THE SUCCESS OF
OUR STUDENTS THAT WE DO LISTEN
TO THE COMMUNITY AND RESPOND IN
A WAY TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND RESPECT
THEIR NEEDS.
THIS HAS BEEN THE GREATEST
ACCOMPLISHMENT: LISTENING AND
RESPECTING THE NEEDS OF EVERY
COMMUNITY WE TOUCH IN OUR
12-COUNTY AREA.
AND IT COULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED
WITHOUT COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND A
COLLEGE THAT IS FOCUSED ON
SERVING COMMUNITIES AND THE
NEEDS OF ALL STUDENTS.
IT WOULD ALSO NOT HAPPEN WITHOUT
THE SUPPORT OF OUR BOARD, THE
LEADERSHIP OF MY STAND-IN TODAY,
FRANCIS HUNTLEY-COOPER, WHO HAS
PROVIDED BOARD LEADERSHIP.
I ACCEPT THIS AWARD ON BEHALF OF
EVERYONE IN THIS COMMUNITY WHO
COMMIT THEMSELVES TO MAKING
CRITICAL CHANGE IN OUR COMMUNITY
TO IMPROVE THE COMMUNITY'S
QUALITY OF LIFE WITH THE DEFINED
INTENTION TO ENGAGE EACH AND
CONTINUE TO MAKE INTERVENTIONS
THAT MAKE THIS COMMUNITY AND THE
STATE BETTER IN ADDRESSING ITS
NEEDS.
THANK YOU.
DR. DANIELS.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> NOW, BEFORE WE MOVE ON, I
DON'T KNOW IF YOU KNOW WHO THAT
WAS.
I SHOULD HAVE INTRODUCED HER,
BUT I ASSUMED EVERYONE KNEW
FRANCIS HUNTLEY-COOPER.
[APPLAUSE]
>> JUST A LITTLE HISTORY FOR
YOU, OR SHOULD I SAY HERSTORY?
SHE IS THE FIRST
AFRICAN-AMERICN MAYOR WOMAN IN
THE STATE OF WISCONSIN, RIGHT?
[APPLAUSE]
>> JUST MAYOR.
JUST SHE WANTED TO MAKE SURE
THAT IT'S RIGHT.
I KNOW I'M GOING TO HEAR ABOUT
THAT LATER.
IT IS TIME TO INTRODUCE OUR
GUEST SPEAKER TODAY, THE
REVEREND DR. MARCUS ALLEN, SR.,
PASTOR OF MT. ZION BAPTIST
CHURCH, MADISON, WISCONSIN.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> DR. ALLEN JOINED MT. ZION IN
OCTOBER OF 2016, AFTER SERVING
HONORABLY IN THE UNITED STATES
ARMY FOR OVER TEN YEARS.
DURING HIS MILITARY SERVICE, HE
COMPLETED THREE, I SAID THREE,
COMBAT TOURS IN IRAQ AND
AFGHANISTAN AND RECEIVED THE
BRONZE STAR MEDAL, ONE OF THE
HIGHEST MILITARY HONORS AWARDED
IN THE UNITED STATES ARMED
FORCES FOR THEIR MEMBERS.
GO AHEAD.
IT'S ALL RIGHT.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> HE EARNED A DOCTORATE IN
MINISTRY FROM LIBERTY SEMINARY
AND A MASTER'S OF DIVINITY FROM
THE SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY AT
VIRGINIA UNION UNIVERSITY.
HE SERVES IN MANY WAYS: ADJUNCT
PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF
DUBUQUE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
SCHOOL, PRESIDENT OF THE
AFRICAN-AMERICAN COUNCIL OF
CHURCHES, AND HE AND HIS WIFE
TERRA, WHO I HAVE PERSONALLY
HEARD HIM REFER TO HER NOT ONLY
AS HIS WIFE, BUT HIS GIRLFRIEND.
SEE, I'M TELLING THE TRUTH.
JUST, I HEARD IT AND I JUST
WANTED TO REPEAT IT PUBLICLY.
THEY HAVE THREE BEAUTIFUL
CHILDREN: ALEXANDREA, MEKYAH,
MARCUS, JR..
AND THERE'S MUCH MORE TO SAY.
BUT HE ASKED ME, HE SAID, DR. O,
WHY?
WHY ME?
AND I JUST SAID "IT'S YOUR
TIME."
AND I NOW ASK YOU TO WELCOME THE
REVEREND DR. MARCUS ALLEN, SR.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> WELL, THE EARTH IS THE LORD'S
AND THE FULLNESS THEREOF.
THE WORLD AND ALL THEY THAT
DWELL THEREIN.
FOR HE HAS FOUNDED IT UPON THE
SEAS AND ESTABLISHED IT UPON THE
WATERS.
LIFT UP YOUR HEADS, O YOU GATES.
LIFT UP YOU EVERLASTING DOORS.
AND THE KING OF GLORY SHALL COME
IN.
WHO IS THIS KING OF GLORY?
THE LORD OF HOSTS.
HE IS THE KING OF GLORY.
TRULY I COUNT IT A PRIVILEGE AND
AN HONOR AND A JOY TO BE BEFORE
YOU TODAY.
I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO
GOVERNOR EVERS AND FIRST LADY
EVERS AND TO ALL THE GOVERNMENT
OFFICIALS HERE TODAY.
SHE HAS BEEN A WONDERFUL HOST
FOR US.
[APPLAUSE]
>> AND SHE'S A REPRESENTATIVE
FOR WHERE OUR CHURCH IS LOCATED.
TO ALL THE DIG THAT TARERIES ON
THE -- DIGNITARIES, THANK YOU.
AROUND 2014 MY WIFE AND I WERE
DEBATING WHERE SHOULD WE MOVE
BECAUSE WE HAD SMALL CHILDREN
AND OUR CHILDREN NEEDED A
GRANDMOTHER TO HELP US RAISE
THEM KIDS.
AND WHILE ATTENDING A
CONFERENCE, I WAS INFORMED IN
VIRGINIA THAT MT. ZION BAPTIST
CHURCH WAS LOOKING FOR A PASTOR.
I APPLIED AND SOMEHOW I BECAME
THE PASTOR OF THIS GREAT CHURCH.
WHEN I ARRIVED, I WAS INFORMED
THAT MT. ZION HAS ALWAYS BEEN A
PILLAR IN THE COMMUNITY FOR
AFRICAN-AMERICAN PEOPLE.
THIS CHURCH HAS BEEN AROUND IN
MAY IT WILL BE 113 YEARS.
THE CHURCH'S VOICE HAS BEEN
AMPLIFIED WHEN IT COMES TO
SOCIAL JUSTICE AND DEMANDING
SOCIAL EQUALITY FOR ALL.
AS A MATTER OF FACT, DR. KING'S
FATHER VISITED MT. ZION, AND
WHEN BISHOP DESMOND TUTU CAME TO
TOWN, MT. ZION WAS ONE OF HIS
STOPS.
IN 1916 THE CHURCH WAS ASKED TO
MOVE FROM JOHNSON STREET TO
FISHER STREET, WHERE IT NOW
RESIDES, AND IT IS SAID THAT
PASTOR DAWSON, WHO WAS THE
PASTOR AT THAT TIME, TOLD THE
MAYOR THAT HE DESIRED FOR THE
CHURCH TO BE IN THE HEART OF THE
COMMUNITY.
IF YOU KNOW WHERE WE ARE
LOCATED, YOU WILL AGREE, BECAUSE
WE ARE NOT OFF A MAIN ROAD.
WE ARE TUCKED IN BY PENN PARK.
BUT OUR LOVE FOR THE COMMUNITY
RADIATES AND ILLUMINATES OUR
úAREA BY PROVIDING HELP, AID AND
SUPPORT TO ANYONE WHO IS IN
NEED.
FOR OVER 30 YEARS WE'VE HAD A
FOOD PANTRY FEEDING FAMILIES.
FOR OVER 20 YEARS WE'VE HAD A
LEARNING CENTER WHERE WE PROVIDE
KIDS KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 10TH
GRADE WITH EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT
IN AN ATTEMPT TO CLOSE WHAT
DR. BILLINGS CALLED THE
OPPORTUNITY GAP WITH BLACK
STUDENTS.
MT. ZION IS A CHURCH OF ACTION,
LOVE AND JUSTICE.
AND DUE TO OUR PROGRAMS ONLY
BEING SUPPORTED AND FUNDED BY
THE GENEROSITY OF OUR MEMBERS,
WE DECIDED TO START A CHARITABLE
ORGANIZATION, A SEPARATE 503C
THAT WE PERFORMED THAT WE MIGHT
HAVE A GREATER IMPACT IN OUR
COMMUNITY.
IN 2020 WE PAID OFF THE MORTGAGE
OF OUR CHURCH.
AMEN!
[APPLAUSE]
>> AND OUR CHURCH IS NOW
DEBT-FREE AND BLACK FOLKS FULLY
OWN ONE OF THE LARGEST BUILDINGS
ON THE BLOCK.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> AND CURRENTLY WE ARE STARTING
A CAPITAL CAMPAIGN TO BUILD A
FAMILY LIFE CENTER ON THE SOUTH
SIDE OF MADISON TO BE ABLE TO
HOUSE OUR PROGRAMS AND BETTER
SERVE THE MADISON COMMUNITY.
AGAIN, I AM EXCITED TO BE THE
SPEAKER OF THIS EVENT TODAY.
AND AS I RECEIVED THE THEME FOR
THIS EVENT, I WAS TORN AS WHICH
WAY TO TALK ABOUT IT.
I BELIEVE THAT THE THEME OF "ONE
DAY" IS A POWERFUL STATEMENT.
BUT IT DEPENDS ON HOW IT IS
PRESENTED.
"ONE DAY" CAN BE WHAT I CALL
FAITH TALK, WHERE YOU ARE
EXPECTING SOMETHING GREAT TO
HAPPEN ONE DAY.
AND YOUR ACTIONS TODAY ARE
PUSHING YOU TOWARDS THAT ONE
DAY.
OR "ONE DAY" CAN BE DECEPTIVE
TALK WHICH CAUSES YOU TO SETTLE
FOR WHAT YOU RECEIVE TODAY
BECAUSE YOU SUGGEST I WILL GET
IT ONE DAY.
"ONE DAY" CAN BE USED AS A
VISION CASTER FOR SOMETHING
GREATER, BETTER OR MORE
BENEFICIAL FOR YOUR LIFE, OR
"ONE DAY" CAN LEAD TO APATHY
WHERE YOU BECOME SATISFIED WITH
THE RESULTS OF TODAY AND FAIL TO
PREPARE FOR THAT ONE DAY.
I BELIEVE FOR SOME "ONE DAY" HAS
PARALYZED OUR ABILITY TO PRODUCE
JUSTICE, EQUALITY AND FREEDOM.
WE HAVE SETTLED FOR THE CRUMBS
OF TODAY, EXPECTING THINGS TO
GET BETTER ONE DAY.
WE HAVE DECIDED THAT THE WORK OF
A BETTER DAY IS TOO HARD FOR
TODAY, SO WE PUT IT OFF AS A
DISTANT HOPE AND DECLARE WE'LL
GET IT RIGHT ONE DAY.
THIS TYPE OF UNDERSTANDING OF
ONE DAY HAS CRIPPLED MANY
COMMUNITIES WHO HAVE LEANED AND
DEPENDED ON THE PROMISES OF
LEADERS WHO TOLD THEM THAT ONE
DAY, BUT IT SEEMS AS IF ONE DAY
CONTINUES TO DRIFT FARTHER AND
FARTHER AWAY.
PROMISES OF EQUALITY IN
EDUCATION, BUT YET STILL BLACK
CHILDREN AREN'T LEARNING AT THE
SAME RATE OF THEIR COUNTERPARTS.
I KNOW THAT THERE ARE DIFFERENT
CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO THIS,
BUT FOR THE LONGEST NO ONE WAS
ABLE TO EXPLAIN TO ME WHY.
A FEW YEARS AGO, I WAS A GUEST
SPEAKER AT ONE OF OUR HIGH
SCHOOLS AND I ASKED THE STUDENTS
WHAT DID THEY THINK WAS THE
REASON FOR THE 2019 FOREIGN EXAM
RESULTS, WHERE ONLY 9% OF BLACK
CHILDREN WERE PROFICIENT IN
MATH?
ONE CHILD RAISED HER HAND AND
SHE SUGGESTED IT'S BECAUSE WHEN
LITTLE JOHNNY NEEDS HELP, THE
TEACHER TAKES TIME TO GIVE HIM
THE HELP HE NEEDS.
BUT WHEN POKEY IS IN NEED, HE
DOES NOT GET THE SAME SUPPORT.
AND THEN HE ACTS UP AND THEN
HE'S KICKED OUT OF CLASS.
BUT IN EDUCATIONAL JUSTICE FOR
MANY, WE DECLARE WE'LL GET IT
RIGHT ONE DAY.
THE PROMISES OF HEALTH CARE
IMPROVEMENT MAY HAVE BEEN
EXPLAINED AS ONE DAY.
A FEW YEARS AGO AS I WAS IN A
CLASS AT MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY
RECEIVING A CERTIFICATE IN
PASTORAL LEADERSHIP AND CULTURAL
CONTEXT AND THE INSTRUCTORS
INVITED THE PRESIDENT OF THE
CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL IN
MILWAUKEE, SHE STATED THAT IN
MILWAUKEE IF YOU MOVE TEN
BLOCKS, YOUR LIFE EXPECTANCY
GAINS EIGHT TO TEN YEARS.
IN APRIL, 2020 MY MOTHER WAS
SEVERELY SICK.
THIS WAS AT THE ONSET OF
COVID-19, WHEN NO ONE REALLY
UNDERSTOOD WHAT WAS GOING ON.
NO TESTING WAS AVAILABLE AND
HOSPITALS WERE TRYING THEIR BEST
TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM OVERCROWDED
WAITING ROOMS.
MY MOTHER CALLED 911 BECAUSE SHE
COULDN'T BREATHE, HAD A
TEMPERATURE OF 103 AND HAD A BAD
COUGH.
BUT AFTER BEING EXAMINED BY THE
PARAMEDICS THEY LEFT HER IN HER
ROOM AND REFUSED TO TRANSPORT
HER TO THE HOSPITAL.
IT'S A SHAME THAT I HAD TO CALL
ON EVERYONE I KNEW IN POWER JUST
TO GET MY MOTHER SOME MEDICAL
AID.
IT MADE ME EVEN MORE UPSET
BECAUSE AS I WAS ON A ZOOM CALL
WITH A CLERGY PERSON FROM
OCONOMOWOC, SHE INFORMED ME SHE
HAD A MILD COUGH.
SHE GAVE HER A TEST IMMEDIATELY.
AND MY BROTHER COULDN'T BREATHE
BUT SHE COULDN'T GET ANY KIND OF
MEDICAL SUPPORT.
I WONDERED WAS IT BECAUSE OF HER
ZIP CODE.
BUT MANY WOULD JUST SAY WE'LL
GET IT RIGHT ONE DAY.
IT PAINS ME TO KNOW THAT SOME
AFRICAN-AMERICAN SERVICE MEMBERS
WHO STOOD ON THE BATTLEFIELD FOR
THE SAKE OF THE FREEDOMS OF THIS
COUNTRY AND THE FLAG CAME BACK
HOME NOT TO PARADES AND
CELEBRATIONS, BUT TO RACISM AND
HATE.
THEY HAD EARNED BENEFITS FOR
HOUSING BUT WERE UNABLE TO BUY
HOMES WHERE THEY WANTED TO, AND
UNFAIR HOUSING PRACTICES HAS
CRIPPLED THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN
COMMUNITY FROM GAINING
GENERATIONAL WEALTH IN THIS
COUNTRY.
AND TO THIS DAY, BANKS ARE STILL
USING THESE UNFAIR PRACTICES BY
EITHER DENYING BLACK PEOPLE FROM
GETTING LOANS OR CHARGING THEM
HIGHER INTEREST RATES THAN WHITE
COUNTER PARTS.
YET STILL SOMEONE IS PROCLAIMING
THE THEME OF TODAY, "ONE DAY"
WE'LL SET IT RIGHT.
TELL US TO SETTLE FOR WHAT WE
HAVE AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL GET IT
RIGHT ONE DAY.
IT'S A SHAME THAT SOCIETY HAS
BECOME MORE CONCERNED ABOUT
OFFENDING WHITE STUDENTS WHEN
TEACHERS TEACH ABOUT THE CRUELTY
AND UNFAIRNESS AND INEQUALITY
BLACK PEOPLE HAVE ENDURED IN
THIS NATION.
IT'S PITIFUL THAT I WAS NEVER
TAUGHT IN PUBLIC SCHOOL ABOUT
BLAK WALL STREET, WHERE IN
TULSA, OKLAHOMA, BLACK PEOPLE
WERE SELF-SUSTAINED AND WEALTHY
AND THEY WITNESSED THE FIRST
TERRORIST GROUP TO ATTACK AND
BOMB AMERICANS IN AMERICA.
AND IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT PEOPLE
ARE ATTACKING DIVERSITY, EQUITY
AND INCLUSION, BUT REFUSE TO
IMPLEMENT LAWS TO REMOVE GUNS
FROM THE HANDS OF THOSE WHO
CONTINUE TO SHOOT INNOCENT
CHILDREN IN SCHOOLS AND MALLS
AND EVEN IN SAFE PLACES.
[APPLAUSE]
>> NO.
NO.
I DON'T WANT TO LOOK AT "ONE
DAY" AS A MAYBE.
BUT WE SHOULD LOOK AT "ONE DAY"
AS A GUARANTEE AND OPERATE
TODAY, HOPING THAT ONE DAY CAN
BE TODAY.
AND JUNE 17, 1966 DR. MARTIN
LUTHER KING GAVE A SPEECH
DECLARING THERE WERE ONLY THREE
WORDS HE WANTED TO STATE TO
AMERICA TO PROVE THAT THEY WERE
SERIOUS.
THE FIRST WORD WAS "ALL."
HE DECLARED WE DON'T WANT SOME
RIGHTS.
WE WANT ALL OF THEM.
HIS SECOND WORD WAS "HERE,"
STATING HE DID NOT WANT TO MOVE
FROM THE SOUTH IN ORDER TO
EXPERIENCE THESE RIGHTS.
HE WANTED THOSE RIGHTS IN
GEORGIA AND ALABAMA AND
MISSISSIPPI.
HIS LAST WORD IS WHAT I WANT US
TO FOCUS ON TODAY.
HIS LAST WORD WAS "NOW."
HE DID NOT HAVE TIME TO SETTLE
FOR YOU'LL GET IT RIGHT ONE DAY,
BUT HE DECLARED WE WANT THEM
NOW.
AND THIS IS MY CHARGE TO ALL WHO
ARE LISTENING TODAY, THAT NOW IS
THE TIME FOR JUSTICE AND
EQUALITY.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> NOW, I WOULDN'T BE A BAPTIST
PREACHER IF I DIDN'T LEAVE YOU
WITH SOME SCRIPTURE.
IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN CHAPTER 9
VERSE 4 JESUS DECLARES I MUST
WORK THE WORKS OF HIM WHO HAS
SENT ME WHILE IT IS DAY.
THE NIGHT IS COMING WHEN NO MAN
CAN WORK.
HERE IN THIS PARTICULAR PASSAGE
- JESUS IS INFORMING US ALL THAT
WE DON'T HAVE ALL DAY AND THE
TIME TO WORK IS USED
METAPHORICALLY FOR WHEN THE SUN
IS UP.
FOR WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN, THIS
LIFE IS OVER AND NO MAN OR WOMAN
CAN WORK.
TO GET THE PICTURE OF WHAT JESUS
MAY BE SAYING IN THIS VERSE,
PICTURE A HARD-WORKING FARMER IN
THE DAYS BEFORE MODERN FARM
MACHINERY.
THE FARMER WILL RISE UP EARLY IN
THE MORNING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF
EVERY MOMENT OF THE DAY, EVERY
MINUTE OF DAYLIGHT, CULTIVATING
HIS CROP FOR WHEN THE HARVEST
WOULD COME.
HE KNEW THAT NIGHT WOULD COME,
SO HE WORKED ALL DAY LONG.
AND WHEN THE NIGHT CAME, HE
RESTED WELL.
WELL-DESERVED REST FOR HIS
DILIGENCE IN THE DAYLIGHT.
HE KNEW THAT IF HE WAS GOING TO
HAVE A CROP TO HARVEST, HE MUST
WORK DILIGENTLY EVERY WAKING
MINUTE BECAUSE TIME WAS SHORT
AND HE DID NOT HAVE ALL DAY.
AND JUST AS THE FARMER KNEW HE
WAS TO MAKE THE MOST OF EVERY
MOMENT OF DAYLIGHT, WE ARE TO
MAKE THE MOST OF THE TIME THAT
WE HAVE DOWN HERE TO ENSURE ONE
DAY BECOMES A REALITY AND NOT A
DREAM THAT DOES NOT COME TO
PASS.
WE CAN'T WAIT FOR ONE DAY.
WE MUST BE COMMITTED TO TODAY
AND USE THE PHRASE "ONE DAY" AS
AN OBTAINABLE VISION.
THE PRESIDENT OF THE GREATER
MADISON URBAN LEAGUE DISPLAYS
THIS MOTTO OF ONE DAY AS A
MISSION, BUILDING THE BLACK
BUSINESS HUB THAT WILL HELP
CREATE MORE BLACK BUSINESS
OWNERS IN DANE COUNTY.
I KNOW ONE DAY HE HOPES TO
INCREASE MORE BLACK HOMEOWNERS
WITH HIS PROGRAM THAT HELPS
BLACK PEOPLE BECOME FIRST-TIME
HOME BUYERS AND GENERATE
GENERATIONAL WEALTH.
DR. GLORIA BILLINGS IS THE
EPITOME OF ONE DAY AS A VISION,
WITH HER TIRELESS WORK IN
IMPROVING THE EDUCATION OF BLACK
AND BROWN CHILDREN.
VANESSA MCDOWELL IS DEVOTED TO
MAKING SURE ONE DAY BECOMES A
REALITY FOR WOMEN WHO ARE TRYING
THEIR BEST TO STAND ON THEIR OWN
TWO FEET.
ONE DAY WITH THE START OF ONE
CITY SCHOOLS IS A PRIME EXAMPLE
THAT GOD HAS SOMETHING GREATER
FOR YOU WHEN PEOPLE DENY YOU AND
CAN'T UNDERSTAND YOUR INITIAL
VISION.
DR. ALEX G. HAS BLOWN THE
TRUMPET OF ONE DAY, CREATING A
CLASS TO TEACH OTHERS ABOUT
BLACK HISTORY AND ALLOWING ALL
TO KNOW THAT BLACK HISTORY IS
AMERICAN HISTORY.
[APPLAUSE]
>> DR. JACK DANIELS REFUSED TO
TURN "ONE DAY" TO BE USED FOR
APATHY WHEN HE DECIDED TO BUILD
MATC CAMPUS ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF
MADISON, STARTING A RENAISSANCE
IN OUR COMMUNITY.
SHEILA STUBS WAS THE FIRST BLACK
REPRESENTATIVE IN THE STATE IN
MADISON AFTER BEING RACIALLY
PROFILED WHILE CAMPAIGNING.
CARLA GAINES WHOSE IMPACT ON OUR
COMMUNITY HEALTH IS UNMATCHED
WITH HER EAGER TONESS TO ONE DAY
ENSURE THAT WE ALL RECEIVE FAIR
AND EQUITABLE TREATMENT IN
HEALTH CARE.
BARACK OBAMA AND KAMALA HARRIS
ALL REJECTED THE CALL OF ONE DAY
AND SETTLING FOR TODAY, BUT USED
ONE DAY TO BECOME THE FIRST
BLACK PRESIDENT AND VICE VICE
PRESIDENT OF THESE UNITED STATES
OF AMERICA.
[APPLAUSE]
>> TO ALL THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE
BEEN RESILIENT IN THIS NATION,
DESPITE YOUR UNFAIR TREATMENT
AND HATE, TO ALL WHO KNOW THEIR
SELF-WORTH AND NOT SEARCHING FOR
AFFIRMATION OUTSIDE OF WHO YOU
ARE, THANK YOU FOR USING "ONE
DAY" AS A VISION AND NOT A
CRUTCH.
AND AS I MENTIONED EARLIER,
VISITING THE JUVENILE DETENTION
CENTER WAS AN IDEA I WANTED TO
MAKE HAPPEN.
THE GOAL IS TO HELP YOUTH
DEVELOP SOME FORM OF VISION.
IF THEY COULD SEE THEMSELVES
BEYOND THEIR CURRENT STATE,
MAYBE THEY WOULD TRY TO MAKE
BETTER CHOICES.
AND I'M OFTEN LOOKING AT MY OWN
LIFE, GROWING UP IN THE HOOD OF
MILWAUKEE ON 12TH AND NORTH
AVENUE, THE 53206 ZIP CODE.
MY MOTHER WAS A SINGLE,
UNEDUCATED BLACK WOMAN TRYING TO
RAISE FOUR BOYS BY HERSELF.
I NEVER HAD GREAT ASPIRATIONS
FROM WHAT I SAW BECAUSE ALL I
SAW WAS MY MOTHER WORKING HARD
AT WENDY'S, BUT TO WATCH HER GO
AND GET HER GED AND THEN GET AN
ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE BUT NEGLECT
TO WALK ACROSS THE STAGE TO GET
HER OWN DIPLOMA TO WATCH ME GET
MY DIPLOMA, HER HOPE FOR ONE DAY
AS HELPED ME EXPERIENCE ONE DAY
TODAY.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> ONE DAY.
ONE DAY.
MY HOPE TODAY IS THAT SOMEONE
WILL HEAR THIS MESSAGE AND SAY I
CAN MAKE IT TODAY BECAUSE MY ONE
DAY IS GOING TO HAPPEN.
AND IN A LETTER FROM THE
BIRMINGHAM JAIL DR. MARTIN
LUTHER KING, JR. DECLARED TIME
ITSELF IS NEUTRAL.
IT CAN BE USED CONSTRUCTIVELY OR
DESTRUCTIVELY.
MORE AND MORE I FEEL THAT THE
PEOPLE OF ILL WILL HAVE USED
MUCH MORE EFFECTIVELY THAN HAVE
THE PEOPLE OF GOODWILL.
WE WILL HAVE TO REPENT IN THIS
GENERATION NOT MERELY FOR THE
HATEFUL WORDS AND THE ACTIONS OF
THE BAD PEOPLE, BUT THE
APPALLING SILENCE OF THE GOOD
PEOPLE.
HUMAN PROGRESS NEVER ROSE ON THE
WILL OF INELIGIBILITY BUT IT
COMES THROUGH THE TIRELESS
EFFORTS OF MEN WILLING TO BE
CO-WORKERS WITH GOD.
AND WITHOUT THIS HARD WORK, TIME
ITSELF BECOMES AN ALLY OF THE
FORCES OF SOCIAL STAGNATION.
WE MUST USE TIME CREATIVELY IN
THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THE TIME IS
ALWAYS RIPE TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT.
TODAY CAN BE ONE DAY, BUT IT
REQUIRES ALL OF US TO UNDERSTAND
THAT WORK IS REQUIRED TO BUILD
BRIDGES AND CONTRIBUTE ALL OF
OURSELVES TO HELP ELEVATE THE
OPPRESSED AND THE DOWNTRODDEN.
WE HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER TO
ENSURE THAT OUR CHILDREN HAVE
THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES AS
- EVERYONE ELSE.
WE HAVE TO ENGAGE FERVENTLY IN
DISCOVERING MEANINGFUL WAYS TO
IMPROVE THE ECONOMICS OF OUR
COMMUNITIES THAT ARE POOR.
WE NEED TO TAKE PRIDE IN WHAT WE
HAVE, WHO WE ARE AND WHERE WE'VE
COME FROM.
AND I PLEAD WITH YOU ALL TODAY
NOT TO ALLOW ONE DAY TO CAUSE
APATHY OR COMPLACENCY, BUT USE
TODAY TO WORK DILL DILIGENTLY TO
PRODUCE THE ONE DAY THAT WE
ENVISION TO HAVE UNITY, EQUITY
AND FREEDOM.
DR. KING IN HIS FINAL SPEECH ON
THE MOUNTAINTOP DECLARED, LIKE
ANYONE, I WOULD LIKE TO LIVE A
LONG LIFE.
LONGEVITY HAS ITS PLACE.
BUT I'M NOT CONCERNED ABOUT THAT
NOW.
I JUST WANT TO DO GOD'S WILL.
AND HE'S ALLOWED ME TO GO UP TO
THE MOUNTAIN, AND I'VE LOOKED
OVER AND I'VE SEEN THE PROMISED
LAND.
I MAY NOT GET THERE WITH YOU,
BUT I WANT YOU TO KNOW TONIGHT
THAT WE AS A PEOPLE WILL GET TO
THE PROMISED LAND.
AND I'M HAPPY TONIGHT.
I'M NOT WORRIED ABOUT ANYTHING.
I'M NOT FEARING ANY MAN.
MINE EYES HAVE SEEN THE GLORY OF
THE COMING OF THE LORD.
AND TO THE STATE OF WISCONSIN, I
AM CONFIDENT, AS DR. MARTIN
LUTHER KING, JR. ON HIS LAST
NIGHT ON THIS EARTH THAT THE
VISION OF ONE DAY IS GOING TO
ALLOW US TO PUSH HARDER TODAY,
THAT WE MAY BE ABLE TO GET TO
THAT ONE DAY, WHICH IS THE
PROMISED LAND.
AND IF I WAS IN MY SANCTUARY, I
WOULD LOOK AT MY CROWD AND I'D
SAY WEEPING MAY ENDURE FOR A
NIGHT, BUT JOY COMES IN THE
MORNING.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> HERE TODAY TO RENDER AN
EXCERPT FROM DR. KING'S 1963
SPEECH "I HAVE A DREAM" IS ALAYA
MCMILLEN.
JUST 11 YEARS OLD.
AND HERE.
THAT'S FOR YOU.
AND SHE'S GOING TO RENDER THIS
EXCERPT.
SHE LIKES VIDEO GAMES, CHAPTER
BOOKS ABOUT SOLVING CRIMES,
GOING TO CHURCH WITH HER DAD,
SINGING IN THE CHOIR, HANGING
OUT WITH HER LITTLE BROTHER AND
FAMILY, GOING TO SCHOOL.
THEY LIKESSHELIKES HER QUIET TIME.
ENJOYS HER DAD'S COOKING, MAKING
PEOPLE LAUGH, RIDING HER BIKE IN
THE SUMMER, WATCHING MOVIES AND
GETTING HER HAIR DONE, WHICH
MAKES HER FEEL PRETTY, LIKE A
LITTLE PRINCESS.
AND PLEASE NOTE THIS.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT ALAYA
WANTS TO BE WHEN SHE GROWS UP IS
A POLICE OFFICER.
>> ALL RIGHT!
ALL RIGHT!
>> PLEASE GIVE HER A WELCOME,
ALAYA MCMILLEN.
[APPLAUSE]
>> GOOD AFTERNOON.
>> I AM ALAYA MCMILLEN, AS HE
HAS SAID.
I AM 11 YEARS OLD AND I WILL BE
READING PART OF MARTIN LUTHER
KING'S SPEECH.
SO LET ME JUST GET ON STARTED.
SO EVEN THOUGH WE FACE THE
DIFFICULTIES OF TODAY AND
TOMORROW, I STILL HAVE A DREAM.
IT IS A DREAM DEEPLY ROOTED IN
THE AMERICAN DREAM.
I HAVE A DREAM THAT ONE DAY THIS
NATION WILL RISE UP AND LIVE OUT
THE TRUE MEANING OF ITS CREED:
WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS TO BE
SELF-EVIDENT, THAT ALL MEN ARE
CREATED EQUAL.
I HAVE A DREAM THAT ONE DAY ON
THE RED HILLS OF GEORGIA, THE
SONS OF FORMER SLAVES AND THE
SONS OF FORMER SLAVE OWNERS WILL
BE ABLE TO SIT DOWN TOGETHER AT
THE TABLE OF BROTHERHOOD.
I HAVE A DREAM THAT ONE DAY EVEN
THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, A
STATE SWELTERING WITH THE HEAT
OF INJUSTICE, SWELTERING WITH
THE HEAT OF OPPRESSION WILL BE
TRANSFORMED INTO AN OASIS OF
FREEDOM AND JUSTICE.
I HAVE A DREAM THAT MY FOUR
LITTLE CHILDREN WILL ONE DAY
LIVE IN A NATION WHERE THEY WILL
NOT BE JUDGED BY THE COLOR OF
THEIR SKIN BUT BY THE CONTENT OF
THEIR CHARACTER.
I HAVE A DREAM TODAY.
I HAVE A DREAM THAT ONE DAY DOWN
IN ALABAMA WITH ITS VICIOUS
RACISTS, WITH ITS GOVERNOR
HAVING HIS LIPS DRIPPING WITH
THE WORDS OF INTERPOSITION AND
NULLIFICATION, ONE DAY RIGHT
DOWN IN ALABAMA LITTLE BLACK
BOYS AND BLACK GIRLS WILL BE
ABLE TO JOIN HANDS WITH LITTLE
WHITE BOYS AND WHITE GIRLS AS
SISTERS AND BROTHERS.
I HAVE A DREAM TODAY.
I HAVE A DREAM THAT ONE DAY
EVERY VALLEY SHALL BE EXALTED,
EVERY HILL AND MOUNTAIN SHALL BE
MADE LOW, THE ROUGH PLACES WILL
BE MADE PLAIN, AND THE CROOKED
PLACES WILL BE MADE STRAIGHT.
AND THE GLORY OF THE LORD SHALL
BE REVEALED, AND ALL FLESH SHALL
SEE IT TOGETHER.
THIS IS OUR HOPE.
THIS IS THE FAITH THAT I GO BACK
TO THE SOUTH WITH.
WITH THIS FAITH, WE WILL BE ABLE
TO HEW OUT OF THE MOUNTAIN OF
DESPAIR A STONE OF HOPE.
WITH THIS FAITH WE WILL BE ABLE
TO TRANSFORM THE JANGLING
DISCORDS OF OUR NATION INTO A
BEAUTIFUL SYMPHONY OF
BROTHERHOOD.
WITH THIS FAITH WE WILL BE ABLE
TO WORK TOGETHER, TO PRAY
TOGETHER, TO STRUGGLE TOGETHER,
TO GO TO JAIL TOGETHER, TO STAND
UP FOR FREEDOM TOGETHER, KNOWING
THAT WE WILL BE FREE ONE DAY.
THIS WILL BE THE DAY WHEN ALL OF
GOD'S CHILDREN WILL BE ABLE TO
SING WITH NEW MEANING: MY
COUNTRY, 'TIS OF THEE, SWEET
LAND OF LIBERTY, OF THEE I SING.
LAND WHERE MY FATHERS DIED, LAND
OF THE PILGRIMS' PRIDE, FROM
EVERY MOUNTAINSIDE, LET FREEDOM
RING.
AND IF AMERICA IS TO BE A GREAT
NATION, THIS MUST BECOME TRUE.
AND SO LET FREEDOM RING FROM THE
PRODIGIOUS HILLTOPS OF NEW
HAMPSHIRE.
LET FREEDOM RING FROM THE MIGHTY
MOUNTAINS OF NEW YORK.
LET FREEDOM RING FROM THE
HEIGHTENING ALLEGHENIES OF
PENNSYLVANIA.
LET FREEDOM RING FROM THE
SNOWCAPPED ROCKIES OF COLORADO.
LET FREEDOM RING FROM THE
CURVACEOUS SLOPES OF CALIFORNIA.
BUT NOT ONLY THAT, LET FREEDOM
RING FROM STONE MOUNTAIN OF
GEORGIA.
LET FREEDOM RING FROM LOOKOUT
MOUNTAIN OF TENNESSEE.
LET FREEDOM RING FROM EVERY HILL
AND MOLEHILL OF MISSISSIPPI.
FROM EVERY MOUNTAINSIDE, LET
FREEDOM RING.
AND WHEN THIS HAPPENS, AND WHEN
WE ALLOW FREEDOM TO RING, WHEN
WE LET IT RING FROM EVERY
VILLAGE AND EVERY HAMLET, FROM
EVERY STATE AND EVERY CITY, WE
WILL BE ABLE TO SPEED UP THAT
DAY WHEN ALL OF GOD'S CHILDREN,
BLACK MEN AND WHITE MEN, JEWS
AND GENTILES, PROTESTANTS AND
CATHOLICS, WILL BE ABLE TO JOIN
HANDS AND SING IN THE WORDS OF
THE OLD NEGRO SPIRITUAL: FREE AT
LAST.
FREE AT LAST.
THNK GOD ALMIGHTY, WE ARE FREE
AT LAST.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> GREAT JOB!
>> YEAH!
>> GREAT JOB!
PROUD OF YOU, GIRL!
[APPLASE]
>> I JUST WANT TO LET YOU ALL
KNOW THAT WE HAVE HAD A
WONDERFUL TIME.
DO YOU ALL AGREE?
THIS HAS BEEN A GREAT
CELEBRATION.
[APPLAUSE]
>> OF DR. KING.
AND WE HAD A GREAT WORD FROM OUR
PASTOR TODAY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR
WORDS.
[APPLAUSE]
>> AND WE JUST WANT TO ASK THE
CHICAGO MASS CHOIR TO TAKE US
OUT.
[APPLAUSE]
?
? HE THAT BELIEVETH ?
? SHALL HAVE AN EVERLASTING
LIFE ?
? HE THAT BELIEVETH ?
? SHALL HAVE AN EVERLASTING
LIFE ?
? SHALL HAVE AN EVERLASTING
LIFE ?
? HE THAT BELIEVETH ?
? SHALL HAVE AN EVERLASTING
LIFE ?
? HE THAT BELIEVETH ?
? HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE FATHER
AND THE SON ?
? SHALL HAVE AN EVERLASTING
LIFE ?
? I'VE GOT IT, EVERLASTING LIFE ?
? HE THAT BELIEVETH ?
? SHALL HAVE AN EVERLASTING
LIFE ?
? HE THAT BELIEVETH ?
? HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE FATHER
AND THE SON ?
? SHALL HAVE AN EVERLASTING
LIFE ?
? I GOT IT ?
? I TELL YOU, I'VE GOT IT,
YEAH ?
? I GOT IT, YEAH ?
? EVERLASTING LIFE ?
? I GOT IT, YEAH ?
? I GOT IT.
? I GOT IT, YEAH ?
? I GOT IT ?
? IF YOU KNOW YOU GOTT PUT THOSE
HANDS TOGETHER.
>> I GOT IT.
>>. ?
YES, I GOT IT ?
? YES, I GOT IT ?
? I GOTT I GOT IT ?
? I GOT IT ?
? I GOT IT, I GOT IT ?
? HE THAT BELIEVETH SHALL HAVE
EVERLASTING LIFE ?
? EVERLASTING LIFE ?
? HE THAT BELIEVETH ?
? EVERLASTING LIFE ?
? I'M GONNA WALK THE STREETS OF
GOLD ?
? EVERLASTING LIFE ?
? YOU GOT TO SING AND SHOUT ?
? PRAY INDEED ?
? I PRAY INDEED ?
? THANK GOD ALL MIGHTY ?
? I'M FREE INDEED ?
? EVERLASTING LIFE ?
? FREEDOM ?
HE THAT BELIEVETH SHALL HAVE
EVERLASTING LIFE ?
? HE THAT BELIEVETH ?
? FROM THE FATHER AND THE SON ?
? SHALL HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE ?
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]