Saturday morning the temperature in Amherst, Massachusetts was -6. But those that attended the Twenty-Fifth Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Breakfast at Amherst Regional Middle School were thoroughly warmed with music, words, and awarded recognitions that represented the reflective spirit of Dr. King.
The auditorium program began with two musical selections by the combined voices of Goodwin Memorial AME Zion and Wesley United Methodist Church. “Soon and Very Soon” which was lead by Cathy Bennett and “Total Praise” lead by our own Jacqui Wallace moved the audience and anointed the auditorium with the spirit of the Lord.
Senator Stanley Rosenberg was the Master of Ceremonies and facilitated a five speaker panel that individually gave the audience five inspiring passages of thought. Dr. Arthur Hilson, pastor of New Hope Baptist Church in Portsmouth, NH ignited the audience with a spirit filled message looking back on the March on Washington and the historical making of the first Black president of the United States. Kay Lassiter Davis, the niece of Mary P. Wyatt, a library media specialist in Baltimore, MD, spoke upon the triangle of life and the position of God at the top. The idea of equality, the structure of family and the importance of God penetrated through Davis’ words. Lisa Baskin was Hampshire County Co-Coordinator for Obama for President, reflected upon the past struggles within the United States and our mission to step up to the plate along with President Obama to make a difference. Dr. William Alexander Darity did not hold back his news on the health care of Blacks in the United States, this Professor Emeritus of Public Health, knew that flowery words were not needed when dealing with the understanding of how poor the health care in the United States was to low income people. And Dr. Esther Terry, presently Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs and Campus Life, wrapped up the five panel speakers with her reflections on the day, her living in Amherst, and giving recognition to the beautiful place mates that celebrated the artwork created by the children of Amherst.
The Twenty-Fifth Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Breakfast gave recognition to five young seniors that received scholarships to further their education, which included two of Goodwin’s own, Isaiah Link and Kindyl A. Tolson. We would like to congratulate them for their accomplishments and pray for the educational paths that they will take in the future. May you both keep the light of Jesus in your hearts.
Goodwin Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church 