Martin Luther King Jr. celebration keynote speaker and

Brookhaven School District Deputy Superintendent Stephanie Henderson delivered an impassioned keynote address to a packed audience Sunday night at Alexender Junior High School, noting the crucial role that a “unified vision” could have on the Brookhaven community in particular, and human relations in general.

“The greater lesson to learn from all of the sacrifices of Dr. King? It is the power of a unified dream,” Henderson said. “After all, the dream was for all people, regardless of race, gender and economic position. It was, is, a dream shared by the community, not any one individual.”

“Bridging the Gap: His Dream, Our Reality,” was the theme of Henderson’s Sunday night message, and the speech cited an elevated role to be had by community leaders and citizens alike, in a united effort to raise awareness and to improve community standards.

The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the Brookhaven Lincoln County NAACP Branch and other groups were on hand to receive Henderson’s message, often an interactive dialogue between the speaker and the audience, which led to numerous standing ovations from the crowded auditorium.

For the state of Mississippi as a whole, challenges that seemed insurmountable at the time led to gains society often takes for granted today, noted Henderson during the address.

“The countless sacrifices of King cannot be forgotten,” she said. “They make up what we are today. They represent what have achieved. They signify what we might be able to accomplish in the future.”

Henderson recalled the story of a colleague and friend, dismayed over the fact her students were largely unaware of who Dr. King was.

“Dr. King’s dream isn’t some lifeless, watered-down idea. It is a dream for the masses, and it is our obligation to pass it down generation to generation, to breathe life into it,” said Henderson.

Still, much more remains to be done, said program chairman and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Branch President Vernell Hooker.

“We must remind ourselves to keep laboring. King’s dream of a beloved community only comes from hard work,” said Hooker.

After an invocation delivered by the Rev. Preston Wilson, Sharlene Banks performed the “African American National Anthem.”

The Jubilee Performing Arts Center Inc., a collection of sixth to 12th grade students from McComb, performed two inspirational songs that rocked the auditorium.

Rod Henderson of Alexander Junior High, where Sunday’s ceremony was held, had the honor of introducing the speaker, his wife, to the audience.

After Stepanie Henderson spoke, MLK program co-chair Dexter Holloway presented the Jesse Buie Community Service Award to two individuals, community member Suzanne Britt and Larry Jointer, pastor of Saint James Baptist Church.

“These are two individuals no one ever saw coming, two that have crossed paths with their generosity and spirit of giving to the community,” Holloway said.

Many questions remain in advancing the rights of those disenfranchised and those with limited resources to make a difference, and the key, endorsed by Henderson and others at the ceremony, is a cooperative effort with one another.

Poverty has an undeniable effect on other societal issues, such as education and health care, Bernetta Character of the Brookhaven Lincoln County NAACP notes. Studies indicate that Mississippi ranks close to the bottom among all states on health care and education, a fact that Character believes underlies the crucial importance of Henderson’s speech.

Regarding education, Character said:

“There’s a unit involved, here. Parents need to be more involved, to re-enforce the value of education. Teachers also need to be able to inspire their students. School board representatives need to implement programs that work, and challenge the students.”

One of the ways to get more parents and students involved, at least in the African-American community, is to devote time and resources to teaching black history in local schools, according to Character.

“We don’t teach black history here. Children that see a connection between school and future success have a much higher interest in their education. I have seen it with my own kids,” Character said.

“Mentorship can play a constructive role in education,” suggested Roy Smith Community Action Group of Brookhaven, Inc., president. Smith, who has been asked to mentor school children in Jackson, believes such an effort can be localized in Brookhaven.

“This is one of the things we need in Brookhaven. All children need a mentor, some one that encourages them to do well in school, to show that it’s important,” said Smith. “This is the quickest way to improve their lives.”

An educator with the Brookhaven School District for seven years, Henderson began her career as a high school Special Education teacher in the Mississippi Delta with the Yazoo City School District. As part of her educational responsibilities, Henderson has worked as a Transition Coordinator, Behavior Specialist, Curriculum Coordinator, and most recently, Interim Superintendent of the Brookhaven School District, among other titles.

In summation, Henderson challenged the audience of over 200 persons. “What seed have you planted?” Henderson asked. “Our lives are brief. The time is now to change our destiny.”

The Mu Pi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity sponsored Sunday night’s celebration.

Earlier in the day, a MLK Day parade rolled through the streets of Brookhaven, with participation by city officials, church organizations, community groups and even motorcycle clubs. Rose “Polly” Powell was the grand marshal of the parade.

Character said good feelings were generated by the presence of city leaders in the Sunday events.

“It was a very positive experience. It was great to see the mayor and city leaders show unity in the community,” Character said.

The parade Sunday afternoon was sponsored by the Brookhaven-Lincoln County NAACP Branch No. 5268 and the Community Action Group of Brookhaven. Sunday evening, the Mu Pi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Fraternity Inc. sponsored the Lincoln County 2014 Annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration at Alexander Junior High School.