‘Making the Dream Count’ theme of 10th F’ville MLK fest

Tue, 01/19/2010 - 5:09pm
By: Ben Nelms

The annual event celebrating the birth and life of Martin Luther King, Jr., began with a parade under cool, clear skies in Fayetteville Monday morning. The celebration sponsored by the Fayette County Branch of the NAACP continued at noon at Sams Auditorium and featured Morehouse College junior Justin L. Bryant.

The sixth annual parade began the day’s celebration, carrying the theme “Making the Dream Count.” The parade featured 40 entries with representation from bands and ROTC units from around metro Atlanta.

The event continued at the nearby Sams Auditorium where the 10th Annual Commemorative Program was presented before a packed auditorium.

The keynote speaker for the occasion was state NAACP Youth and College Division president and Morehouse College junior Justin L. Bryant. Providing constant humor along with his challenges to the youth in the audience, Bryant commented on his early career desires, noting that he had wanted to be rich and to get into a high-paying profession like medicine or engineering that could help him achieve that goal.

“But I decided to go into education,” he said, generating laughs from the audience. He used that platform to quickly make a much larger, and more serious, point to the room crowded with teenagers. “I want to encourage young people to choose a profession that you love. It takes hard work, like the Sandy Creek football championship or Noni Carter writing her book. I played piano at a young age but I wasn’t willing to put forth the discipline and the effort. Discipline is the restraint in the face of temptation.”

Bryant for the remainder of his brief remarks hammered home the idea that the willingness to succeed and the discipline that flows from it can effectively neutralize the temptation to forego the challenge that otherwise leads to success.

“You can be successful no matter who tells you that you can’t. Never give up. Never quit. Don’t let Georgia or the education system determine your future,” Bryant emphasized, noting the sometimes inopportune and negative predictions on later life that can be derived from standardized tests across the U.S. “And we can’t blame anyone for our failures. Be accountable for yourself and to yourself. I had no choice (about going to college). Momma told me I was going. Remember when choosing a career path it’s not just about you. You represent your family, your friends, your people and your nation.”

Bryant is also president of the NAACP Morehouse College Branch and is enrolled in the Morehouse College Honors Program. He is a member of the Golden Key Honor Society and on the dean’s list. A UPS Community Service Scholar, Bryant earned the honor by volunteering 300 community service hours at a local Atlanta elementary school.

Others at the celebration included sisters Camara Carter playing “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” Dara Carter playing and singing an original composition entitled “Thankful,” and “Good Fortune” author Noni Carter reading a poem and offering comments to the audience.

The MLK celebration was also an occasion for special recognition presentations, with a wide range of students receiving awards. Awards were given for 3rd grade essay winners, 3rd grade school attendance and for senior academic achievement for each high school. Also recognized was the state football championship Sandy Creek Patriots.

The celebration program also included remarks from Fayette County School System Superintendent John DeCotis, a proclamation presented by Fayette County Commission Chairman Jack Smith and a host of local NAACP branch officials.

login to post comments

Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.
Submitted by Davids mom on Wed, 01/20/2010 - 3:02pm.

Someone at The Citizen realizes that there is a segment of 'black's' in Fayette County that have the same goals and standards as the majority of the citizens in the county. The picture on the front page with this article showed parents and children from the Jack and Jill organization in Fayette County. Jack and Jill was founded in 1938. Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated is an African-American organization of mothers who nurture future leaders by strengthening children ages 2-19 through chapter programming, community service, legislative advocacy and philanthropic giving. We believe every child, with proper guidance and opportunity can be a leader.

In my day, as a Jack and Jiller, we were involved in 'integration' activities. We were taught fund-raising skills; we were exposed to 'role models' who looked like 'us'. We were expected to develop a set of skills to be used in service to our community. Many of the leaders of Fayette County who claim 'black' heritage were/are involved with organizations like Jack and Jill. There is not a communication gap in Fayette County between black and white - but there appears to be a 'knowledge' gap. I thank The Citizen for attempting to bridge that gap by honest reporting about the 'black' community that lives here. Other local periodicals are doing the same. Most 'blacks' in Fayette County are involved in integrated church and community activities - but there are organizations and activities that are not integrated - black, white, Hispanic and Asian - that are making contributions to the Fayette County community.

Joe Kawfi's picture
Submitted by Joe Kawfi on Wed, 01/20/2010 - 10:09pm.

What's the difference between Jack and Jill and an organization like
AABA?

Both groups exclude others based on skin color.


Submitted by Davids mom on Thu, 01/21/2010 - 6:53pm.

You have been segregated too long. Jack and Jill, founded in 1938, DOES NOT EXCLUDE BASED ON SKIN COLOR. Dues, parent’s education, where one lives, ones profession - etc. could be excluding factors for membership in Jack and Jill - but skin color? Joe, African Americans range in 'skin color' from velvet black to pearl white. Since the 60's - I have known 'white' members of Jack and Jill. Admittedly not many - because the purpose of Jack and Jill is to prepare African American children to be prepared to contribute to their community and to the world. The organization has done an excellent job. There are similar organizations in all communities in our country. Some are sponsored by churches, some by interested parents, some by local/national organizations. This is what I mean by 'knowledge' gap. Skin color is how you identify African Americans. You'd be surprised. This is why 'light-skinned Negro' was not a 'shocker' to the black community. Might be interesting to see how the AABA succeeds.

Joe Kawfi's picture
Submitted by Joe Kawfi on Fri, 01/22/2010 - 12:27am.

From the Jack & Jill of America homepage:

Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated is an African-American organization of mothers who nurture future leaders by strengthening children ages 2-19 through chapter programming, community service, legislative advocacy and philanthropic giving. We believe every child, with proper guidance and opportunity can be a leader.

The description from their own homepage states that the group is exclusive to African-Americans.

It is sad that an organization such as this is teaching children at such a young age that segregation is o.k. and it is alright to exclude others based on the color of their skin.

I thought that we, as Americans, had moved past all of that.

"If ever a time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in Government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin." - Samuel Adams


Submitted by Davids mom on Fri, 01/22/2010 - 6:48pm.

CAN YOU READ/COMPREHEND ENGLISH? The majority of members of Jack and Jill are African American - it was founded in 1938. (Legal segregation was alive and well) Today, not many people who are not African American would find the purpose of Jack and Jill meaningful. However there are families where one or both parents may be 'white' and they are raising an African American child. These persons would not be/are not excluded because of their 'race'. Now, about the all 'white' basketball team. If they can achieve their goal without an African American player - more power to them. Just what is their 'goal'? You know Joe - do you really live in a world where 'blacks' are held in such distain? You are like a throw back to another age. (But interesting to know that there are still people like you out here) Keep posting . . . please. Would you be so concerned if Jack and Jill were composed of Catholic parents who wanted to enhance the experiences of their children so that they could be contributing citizens to their community? (By the way - did you notice that my definition was also taken from the 'homepage' of Jack and Jill?)

Joe Kawfi's picture
Submitted by Joe Kawfi on Sat, 01/23/2010 - 9:12am.

I believe that discrimination and segregation based on the color of people's skin is wrong.
Both groups mentioned are doing just that.

"If ever a time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in Government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin." - Samuel Adams


Submitted by Davids mom on Sat, 01/23/2010 - 11:11am.

Today, not many people who are not African American would find the purpose of Jack and Jill meaningful. However there are families where one or both parents may be 'white' and they are raising an African American child. These persons would not be/are not excluded because of their 'race'.

Many organizations that were once segregated are integrated today. There are and have been 'white' members in Jack and Jill of America. Joe has good intentions - but judgements made on false information. There are Italian-American organizations, Chinese-American organizations, Irish-American organizations, Sons of the South organizations, etc., etc., etc. Peopla join because they agree with and want to participate in achieving the goals of that organization. Children and parents in Jack and Jill have too much to accomplish than to denigrate another race. Their goal is to raise their child with the skills for community leadership in this counry and/or the world. Their programs provide these children with the experiences needed to develop these skills.

Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.