2008 Woodie Awards
Event celebrates civil-rights leader
FMU, Chamber of Commerce honor life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Shantrice Radford
Issue date: 1/22/08 Section: News
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"This is a community for tonight and henceforth, hopefully," said special guest Yewande Austin, a singer and producer who has performed for audiences at 106 & Park and Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame.
Austin performed "Rhythms, Rhymes and Races in America." Her piece, seemingly a crowd favorite, focused less on King and more on the history of black people.
Among the other performers and speakers were the Dimensions of Diversity Dance Team, the Young Gifted and Blessed Gospel Choir, and reverends from New Ebenezer Baptist Church.
Sophomore Willeen Gant attended the event.
"The reason I came is because it's part of my heritage, and the least I can do is pay tribute to the ancestors that allowed my life to be as free as it is today," Gant said.
Sophomore Lynn Burch went for the same reason.
"I went to the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration because I believe that it's important to remember the struggle that we as African-Americans had in America," Burch said. "Even today, we still have a long way to go, and it's inspiring to look at his life and see how great of an influence that one man had... His life motivates the next person to want to do good and make a positive change."
Angela Saxon was chosen as winner of a $100 prize for her poem, "Tribute to a spiritual warrior: Dr. Martin Luther King," in an essay/poem contest associated with the event.
She received a standing ovation after performing her piece.
Sophomore Javarie Curry said King was and continues to be an inspiration.
"He did a lot of things for the African-American community," Curry said. "Who would have thought one man would have made such an impact then and for years to come?"
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