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Honoring King's Legacy: Annual celebration held in Sikeston
A special ceremony in Sikeston on Monday, Jan. 16 commemorating the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. marked the conclusion of a week of activities.
Sikeston’s Dr. MLK Day Committee hosted its 37th annual commemoration concert at Green Memorial Church of God in Christ, where a prayer and the song, ”God Bless America,” were sung by the congregation to begin the event.
Lorya Jineanne Knox, president of the Sikeston NAACP, served as the event’s master of ceremonies. Knox first introduced Dr. Maude Harris with the University of Missouri Extension.
Harris discussed the significance of the ceremony this year as well as the history on King’s side.
“The history on his side began with slavery, segregation, Jim Crow laws which mandated the segregation of public schools, places, transportation, restrooms, restaurants, drinking fountains between white and black people,” Harris said.
Harris continued: “As a result that King led and was driven, we encountered the Civil Rights Act in 1964 which outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin and later adopted sexual orientation, gender identity, and also veteran status as well.”
Harris expressed the job she holds now wouldn’t have been possible without the Civil Rights Act.
“I have attended two universities that would not have let me in had it not been for the Civil Rights Movement and I also work at a facility that probably would not have hired me.”
In conclusion, Harris spoke about the current generation.
“They are the generation that has always had the internet but they have always embraced inclusion and diversity, and because of the internet, they have learned about other cultures.”
The City of Sikeston’s Mayor Greg Turnbow attended the annual celebration and spoke to the congregation.
Turnbow said in his address he wants to get more connected with the City of Sikeston. Moving city council meeting locations around is one thing the council intends to do.
“We are going to try to move some city council meetings around town some. What we would like to do is have it at the university and maybe some different places,” Turnbow said.
He continued: “It seems like when you have it at city hall, not very many people want to see the city council so instead we’re going to come to you guys.”
Turnbow contends that while the city’s council serves as its leaders, the residents of Sikeston are its lifeblood.
“Even though we are the leaders of the city we depend upon you. You all are the heartbeat and you’ve got to tell us what you see, what you hear and what you feel. We really respect that and really want to hear that,” Turnbow said.
Turnbow said in his closing statement that the city would disclose any decision to relocate a meeting whenever it was feasible.
Also contributing to the ceremony was Shannon Holifield, superintendent of Sikeston R-6 School District, and 148th District State Rep. Jamie Burger.
The musical selection for the occasion this year was Pershard Owens, a very gifted singer who sang two songs.
The MLK Jr. Committee gathered at the pulpit for offertory prayer before introducing the main speaker.
Bishop Lamonte’ Calvin, the event’s main speaker, was introduced by Michael K. Harris Sr., pastor.
In order to pay tribute to King, Calvin opened his address with a message from the book of Genesis.
“I want to read something that I want to pull from today honoring Dr. King,” Calvin said.
Calvin connected the phrase “don’t forget the dream”—the theme of his speech—to Joseph’s dream in the book of Genesis.
In addition Monday’s ceremony included:
—Following remarks and a benediction by Bishop Calvin Bird, president of the Sikeston Ministerial Alliance, presentations by Mary White-Ross and Micahel K. Harris S. were made.
—Another song, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” was sung by the congregation as the ceremony came to a close.