MLK Day of Service

First Service Stop

Dray Clark and Donna Brown

When I didn’t go to church yesterday, I knew church would somehow catch up to me today. Dray said it best at the breakfast “feels like we are having some church up in here.” I had to say “Amen” to that and “keep on having it”. Having church today was okay with me. The National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. of Chester had their 21^st annual breakfast this morning at the Ramada Inn. Dray Clark, whose bio is on the previous post, gave a very stirring speech about MLK Day of Service “Sacrifice and to Serve”. Hymns, by Guest Soloist Donald Saunders, were very inspirational.

Second Service Stop

Frances Henderson Taylor

My next stop was at the YWCA where they had the Pieces of Peace Project decorating flags to send up as prayers. Xinos youth group volunteered in workshops and made flags. Widener’s culinary students cooked and served lunch to visitors. Frances Henderson-Taylor received the Spirit Award for community service. Ms. Taylor founded Youth Build. She said, "I started 20 years ago as a Community Activist."

Third Service Stop

Council Woman Jetter, students, and Dr. Alonzo Cavin

In the Afternoon, there was the laying of the wreath at Crozer Hall, the site where Martin Luther King, Jr. studied for 3 years. He received a Bachelor of Divinity in Theological Seminary. Following the wreath ceremony, the Martin Luther King Commemorative Committee met with the audience in the James E. Clark Education Center at Crozer Medical Center. Rousing music was performed by The St. Thomas Gospel Choir from The African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas of Philadelphia. Alonzo Cavin was the keynote speaker. He is a Professor from Widener University. He is involved in the Chester Rotary Club, Red Cross, and MLK Commemorative Committee. He is a lifelong resident of Chester. Dr. Cavin’s speech was very insightful, informing the audience about King’s ties to Chester that we didn’t know.

Fourth Service Stop

Michael Robinson speaking to the crowd

Last visit was of the Boys and Girls Club in Chester. This Martin Luther King’s tribute was hosted by Cory Long. Five motivational speakers were presented. Dray Clark, CBS 3 News, spoke about “Living the Dream”. Ted Sutton, whose story the Wire is based on, spoke about “Prototype, Stereotype”. Stefan Roots, C-City Blogger, spoke about “Besides the Dream”. Michael Robinson, Minister and Motivational Speaker, spoke about MLK “Servant Leader”, focused on 7 key principles of King. Tazz Daddy, Director of Social Media from Power 99, spoke about “Don’t Blame the Media, Blame the Parent”. All the speeches served to motive and inspire the crowd in attendance at the club.