More than 100 community members braved subzero temperatures Jan. 19 to attend the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration Breakfast, an event that honors King’s legacy while raising money for local student scholarships.
The breakfast, held at The Ascent Church in Galesburg, is organized by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee, a volunteer group that has existed for more than 30 years. Committee member Jodi White said the event’s primary purpose is to fund scholarships for traditional and nontraditional students.
“All monies go to the scholarships,” White said. “There’s no profit for us. We’re just volunteers.”
While the committee hosted several large-scale events in the past — including a Scholastic Bowl that drew students from multiple school districts — the MLK Day breakfast is now its sole annual fundraiser.
Essay contest winners Dylan Peterson and Charlotte Smith read essays written as part of the committee’s annual contest, with topics assigned in the fall. A third winner, Maci Bratcher, was unable to attend.
The breakfast featured guest speaker DeAndre Henderson, who is originally from the Macomb area. A Knox College graduate, Henderson earned a master’s degree from Western Illinois University and now teaches at Rise Academy in Rantoul.
In his address, Henderson emphasized that every life has value, echoing King’s message that people — especially young people — must be reminded of their importance despite barriers such as racism, discrimination and prejudice.
He said disparities between Black and white Americans in wages, unemployment, education and housing that were present during King’s time still persist today.
Henderson urged communities to confront internalized oppression, lift one another up and reclaim King’s dream through accountability, love and daily action.
Musical selections and a shared meal rounded out the program. The breakfast was catered by volunteers from the Carl Sandburg College culinary program.
White said the committee currently consists of about five members but remains committed to preserving King’s message and supporting students through education.
“This is about service and giving back,” she said, “and keeping Dr. King’s legacy alive in our community.”
