Young people were the focus of Monday’s annual celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the campus of Coahoma Community College.
The leaders of tomorrow, which may include several of those students who delivered speeches, were the topic of discussion at the MLK Breakfast and Awards Ceremony held at The Pinnacle. The annual event was sponsored by members of the local Epsilon Xi Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.
“Young people, there is a future out there for you,” said Charles Hardy, president of the local chapter.
He pointed to King as an example of being able to overcome life’s obstacles.
“The Lord instilled in him the ability to go forward. The Lord has a path for all of us,” said Hardy, a retired educator from Carthage who now makes his home in Greenville.
“Dr. King preached love. Don’t let anybody lower you to hate. Hatred has no place. Hatred will get you nowhere,” he said. “Dr. King was always positive, looking up, looking forward. When you love people, they’ll follow you. When you care for them, they’ll follow you.”
The highlight of Monday’s breakfast was an oratorical contest that featured eight students from high schools spread out among the Delta. Each of the students delivered a speech with the subject of “One person can make a difference.”
Sa’Miyan Moore, a senior at Coahoma County High School, won first place and $700 in the contest. Placing second and winning $350 was Aniya Johnson, a senior at Coahoma Early College High School, while Victor Daniels, a student at Greenville High School, finished third and received $200. Each of the students participating received $100.
In other highlights from Monday’s breakfast:
* Dr. William L. Booker was recognized by the chapter with the Coahoma County Citizen of the Year award. Booker came to work for the Aaron E. Henry Community Health Center in 1985 and has been there for the past 33 years.
Booker is an example of a man who “can walk with kings and not lose their common touch,” said Donell Harrell, who made the presentation.
Booker was appreciative of the award and praised the staff and patients at the community health center. He said it was they who made his job easier.
Booker started as a staff physician at the Henry Health Center in 1985, became the medical director in 1988 and held the position for about 25 years before going back to being a staff physician.
The Henry center opened in 1979 in front of Red Panther Chemical Company on Highway 49 and moved twice while Booker was the medical director.
Currently, the center includes a dental clinic and pediatric wing. There are two doctors, a physician’s assistant and four nurse practitioners. Clinics are now also in Tunica, where Booker works on Thursdays, as well as Batesville and Coldwater.
The clinic has also expanded to having dental and optometry clinics and a transportation system. The center also works with colleges, health departments and hospitals.
* Martha Bell, of Greenville, was recognized with the Delta Citizen of the Year award.
Hardy said Bell, a retired educator and community volunteer, can always be counted on to help out with events happening in the community.
* Hardy was recognized as the chapter’s Brother of the Year.
“He is an epitome of what an Alpha man should be,” said Robert Williams Jr., who presented the award.
