MLK: An inspirational musical celebration

The Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice hosted the MLK - An Inspirational Musical Celebration, From Civil Rights to Black Lives Matter event on Jan. 12 at Epworth United Methodist Church near Rehoboth Beach.

Performing before a large crowd were singer Gwen Miller, pianists/keyboardists Doug Yetter and Bryan Clarke, dancer Lorriane Smith, and Carla Ennals, who led the grand finale.

Groups and bands performing included the Friendship Baptist Church praise choir; the Alliance Singers of CAMP Rehoboth chorus; the Friendship United Methodist Church Joyful Expressions; The Reminders; and Christy Taylor and the Shades of Blue Collective.

Emcee of the event was Coast TV chief meteorologist Paul Williams. Cape Henlopen High School senior Sam Mincey talked about “MLK by the Numbers.”

Mincy, an AP Scholar in three subjects, a member of the National Honor Society and a member of the Cape jazz band, talked about the numbers 26, 13, 29 and 39 related to King. He was 26 when he first lit the spark for the Civil Rights Movement, and he led the effort for only 13 years before he was assassinated at the age of 39. He was arrested 29 times during his short lifetime. He was presented with the Nobel Peace Prize at the age of 35. The Civil Rights Act was passed by Congress in 1964 and the Voting Rights Act in 1965.

Charlotte King, co-founder and chair of the alliance, and Joe Lawson, event chair, welcomed the audience.

SDARJ is a nonpartisan organization that educates, informs and advocates for racial justice, equality and fair opportunity through events and seminars throughout the year, scholarships and publication of the quarterly magazine Black Voices.

Go to sdarj.org for more information.