2009 King Holiday Celebration
Inspiration of Dreams
Inspiration of Dreams
“I think the election ushers in a new era of hope and inspiration,” Lee added. “And like Mona said, we still really have the responsibility to do our part to
seize this opportunity that is ahead of us. The intent for the theme is to be empowering. I think one of the goals for the program in recent years has been as
much to observe, commemorate and celebrate Dr. King’s life and legacy as much as it has been to shed light on the issues that still exist and to challenge
people to action, to live their life in a way that is consistent with King’s message.”
From Friday January 16 through Monday January 19, people will be able to participate in a number of activities to commemorate the weekend. The
holiday kicks off with the Community Dinner at Gordon Commons. The Gordon Commons staff with an assist from local labor unions, serves up a delicious free
dinner each year. People from all walks of life, King’s Beloved Community, gather to break bread and to talk to each other.
On Saturday, Women in Focus host the “I Have a Dream” Ball at Monona Terrace. This elegant affair raises funds for the annual Women in Focus
scholarships.
On Sunday morning, the Urban League of Greater Madison hosts its 25th annual King Breakfast at Edgewood High School. “The highlight again will be our
recognition of youth who are doing exceptional work in terms of their academic performance and their community involvement,” Lee emphasized. “We actually
had a record number of nominations for Outstanding Young Person Awards this year. I believe there were around 200 nominations. So we expect a turnout
again of probably a sold-out crowd of 700 plus people. Seeing the nominations of youth excelling in so many ways, in school and extracurricular activities and
doing volunteer work out in the community is pretty inspirational to see.”
On Sunday afternoon, the MLK Ecumenical Church Service is held at Mt. Zion Baptist Church to bring the roots of the civil rights movement more into
focus.
On Monday morning, 400-500 youth are expected to participate in the 11th Annual Youth Service Day at Monona Terrace. After a morning of activities —
including the awarding of the Presidential Volunteer Service Awards — and a march to the State Capitol, the youth will scatter across Dane County for an
afternoon of service activities.
And capping it off is the annual City-County Observance in the Capitol Theater in the Overture Center. “It is a perfect venue for us,” Winston said. “I think
1,100 – 1,200 people can fit in there. I think when Dr. McCray is there speaking, she will be able to touch various people. I remember last year with Rev. Lowery,
I just felt like he was talking to me. And from what I have heard about how she speaks, it will be the same. Leotha Stanley will be directing the community choir
again. He never ceases to amaze us with what they do with a few rehearsals. There always people who are new and then those who have been on it for years. He
has that continuity. And then we will be giving out the City and County King Awards. It’s pretty much the same, but it is always seems it is better each year.”
The King Holiday is meant to be a “Day on, not a day off.” The King Coalition has put together a host of meaningful activities to make it a day on for the
Madison community. (See ad for a listing of King Holiday activities.)
seize this opportunity that is ahead of us. The intent for the theme is to be empowering. I think one of the goals for the program in recent years has been as
much to observe, commemorate and celebrate Dr. King’s life and legacy as much as it has been to shed light on the issues that still exist and to challenge
people to action, to live their life in a way that is consistent with King’s message.”
From Friday January 16 through Monday January 19, people will be able to participate in a number of activities to commemorate the weekend. The
holiday kicks off with the Community Dinner at Gordon Commons. The Gordon Commons staff with an assist from local labor unions, serves up a delicious free
dinner each year. People from all walks of life, King’s Beloved Community, gather to break bread and to talk to each other.
On Saturday, Women in Focus host the “I Have a Dream” Ball at Monona Terrace. This elegant affair raises funds for the annual Women in Focus
scholarships.
On Sunday morning, the Urban League of Greater Madison hosts its 25th annual King Breakfast at Edgewood High School. “The highlight again will be our
recognition of youth who are doing exceptional work in terms of their academic performance and their community involvement,” Lee emphasized. “We actually
had a record number of nominations for Outstanding Young Person Awards this year. I believe there were around 200 nominations. So we expect a turnout
again of probably a sold-out crowd of 700 plus people. Seeing the nominations of youth excelling in so many ways, in school and extracurricular activities and
doing volunteer work out in the community is pretty inspirational to see.”
On Sunday afternoon, the MLK Ecumenical Church Service is held at Mt. Zion Baptist Church to bring the roots of the civil rights movement more into
focus.
On Monday morning, 400-500 youth are expected to participate in the 11th Annual Youth Service Day at Monona Terrace. After a morning of activities —
including the awarding of the Presidential Volunteer Service Awards — and a march to the State Capitol, the youth will scatter across Dane County for an
afternoon of service activities.
And capping it off is the annual City-County Observance in the Capitol Theater in the Overture Center. “It is a perfect venue for us,” Winston said. “I think
1,100 – 1,200 people can fit in there. I think when Dr. McCray is there speaking, she will be able to touch various people. I remember last year with Rev. Lowery,
I just felt like he was talking to me. And from what I have heard about how she speaks, it will be the same. Leotha Stanley will be directing the community choir
again. He never ceases to amaze us with what they do with a few rehearsals. There always people who are new and then those who have been on it for years. He
has that continuity. And then we will be giving out the City and County King Awards. It’s pretty much the same, but it is always seems it is better each year.”
The King Holiday is meant to be a “Day on, not a day off.” The King Coalition has put together a host of meaningful activities to make it a day on for the
Madison community. (See ad for a listing of King Holiday activities.)
edward Lee (l-r) and Mona Adams Winston are the
co-chairs of the King Coalition
co-chairs of the King Coalition
By Jonathan Gramling
While Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. laid out his vision for America so eloquently 46 years ago at the
Lincoln Memorial, it has been the responsibility of ordinary “extraordinary” people to ensure King’s vision
continued forward and to actively work to make it a reality. In Madison, one group of ordinary
“extraordinary” people has been the King Coalition, an eclectic group of individuals from all walks of life
and faith communities who are bound together by the words and actions of Dr. King.
For the past 24 years, the King Coalition has sponsored many of the activities held during the King
Holiday weekend, most notably, the City-County Observance held at the Overture Center. And for the past
five years, Ed Lee and Mona Adams Winston have been the co-chairs of the coalition.
For Winston and Lee, this year’s theme “The Inspiration for Dreams: The Responsibilities of Change”
is especially poignant given the election of Barack Obama. “I think when people think about Barack
Obama, they think that on January 20, everything is going to change,” Winston reflected. “We know that it
is all about responsibility to make that change happen. He, himself, has spoken about that. He can’t do it
by himself. It’s not going to be done overnight. It didn’t get messed up overnight. But if we all in our
communities do something to help make change happen, it will happen a lot faster than if we all sit
waiting for him and his cabinet to do it all. It’s our responsibility to help with the change.”
While Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. laid out his vision for America so eloquently 46 years ago at the
Lincoln Memorial, it has been the responsibility of ordinary “extraordinary” people to ensure King’s vision
continued forward and to actively work to make it a reality. In Madison, one group of ordinary
“extraordinary” people has been the King Coalition, an eclectic group of individuals from all walks of life
and faith communities who are bound together by the words and actions of Dr. King.
For the past 24 years, the King Coalition has sponsored many of the activities held during the King
Holiday weekend, most notably, the City-County Observance held at the Overture Center. And for the past
five years, Ed Lee and Mona Adams Winston have been the co-chairs of the coalition.
For Winston and Lee, this year’s theme “The Inspiration for Dreams: The Responsibilities of Change”
is especially poignant given the election of Barack Obama. “I think when people think about Barack
Obama, they think that on January 20, everything is going to change,” Winston reflected. “We know that it
is all about responsibility to make that change happen. He, himself, has spoken about that. He can’t do it
by himself. It’s not going to be done overnight. It didn’t get messed up overnight. But if we all in our
communities do something to help make change happen, it will happen a lot faster than if we all sit
waiting for him and his cabinet to do it all. It’s our responsibility to help with the change.”