Second Annual community breakfast in Elk Grove kicks off Sacramento regional MLK celebrations



As part of regional celebrations honoring the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Second Annual MLK Community Breakfast was held yesterday morning in Elk Grove. The event was held at the Laguna Town Hall and attracted over 100 participants.

Along with a breakfast buffet, the program included a variety of speakers included Cosumnes Community Services District Director Rod Brewer and Elk Grove Mayor Steve Ly. Other elected officials attended included California Assemblymember Jim Cooper, Elk Grove Vice Mayor Steve Detrick, Elk Grove Councilmember Darren Suen, Cosumnes Community Services Director Jim Luttrell, and former Sacramento County Supervisor and California Assemblymember Roger Dickinson.

Along with the speakers, participants enjoyed and were encouraged to join in the singing of several heartfelt spirituals, including Lift Every Voice and Sing, and We Shall Overcome. Three students from Laguna Creek High School - Kiley Kelly, Taylor Webb, and Kylea Tanner, read excerpts from Dr. King's emotional last speech known as the "I have been to the Mountaintop" delivered on April 3, 1968, in Memphis, Tenn.

The keynote speaker, Ms. Penelope Larry, a noted educator, published author and co-pastor of Potter's House Church in Sacramento, offered a speech mixing humor, hope, and honor. Ms. Larry incorporated her experiences and the theme of the event, Keep Climbing The Mountain, into her presentation. 

Ms. Larry ended her presentation by asking everyone in attendance to leave their table and introduce themselves to someone they did not know not at their table who looked different than themselves. The audience engaged the exercise with great enthusiasm. Also speaking to the audience was Elk Grove resident Karif Lawrence.

The event received sponsorship from the City of Elk Grove, Cosumnes Community Services District, and the Afripeace Foundation/Africa House. Among community members involved in organizing the annual event were Maureen Craft, Constance Conley, and Kendra Lewis, along with the Elk Grove MLK Breakfast committee.

The highlight of this weekend's celebration is the annual March For The Dream on Monday, January 20, with the program starting at 8:30 a.m at Sacramento City College. The march starts at 9:15 a.m., and additional information on that event can be viewed here.

Images from yesterday's event can be viewed in the video posted below.



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Connie said...

Thanks Elk Grove News for covering the breakfast and an even bigger thank you for your student sponsorships. It was a great event. Along with Kendra, Maureen and Karif, I would like to acknowledge Marni Lutz from the CSD and Kara Reddig from the city of Elk Grove for a job well done!

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