CELEBRATING SERVICE

All together now

Mega Kingfest interfaith prayer breakfast honors all-embracing spirit of civil rights leader

Each year, Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday comes accompanied by a number of celebrations sponsored by various entities. However, it takes the Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Commission to offer a comprehensive, multi-event package sure to attract attendees of all ages. Such was the 2016 annual interfaith prayer breakfast, part of the Mega Kingfest held Monday at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock's Jack Stephens Center.

Co-hosted by the Beta Pi Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., the event attracted representatives from political, religious, educational, civic and social-activist arenas in and outside of Arkansas. Attendees were treated to fruit and pastries.

The program's highlights included the presentation of the commission's Economic Development Award to the Rev. Mark DeYmaz, pastor of Mosaic Church, for his efforts in revitalizing Little Rock's midtown district, and the Humanitarian Award to the Rev. Hezekiah Stewart, executive director of Watershed, a family resource center.

In his keynote speech, the Rev. Jimmy Thompson, presiding elder for the Lakeland, Fla., district of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, said King was someone who "understood that we are not elevated to be celebrated but we are elevated to be appropriated."

Other highlights included a song by Melvin Williams of the noted Williams Brothers gospel group; an interfaith litany; and King holiday remarks by Gov. Asa Hutchinson, commission director DuShun Scarbrough, and a handful of political officeholders.

Other celebrity guests were Arun Manilal Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, and soap opera actor Eric Braeden (The Young and the Restless). Gandhi was keynote speaker and Braeden master of ceremonies for the celebratory component of A Day of Service -- A Day On, Not A Day Off, which followed the prayer breakfast.

An afternoon Birthday Bash and Nonviolence Youth Summit featured comedian Marlon Wayans.

-- Story and photos by Helaine R. Williams

High Profile on 01/24/2016

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