The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. proudly presented their annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Breakfast at The Pinnacle, in Maumee, Ohio on January 18, 2020.
Books 4 Buddies felt honored to sit at table 28 on this 28th anniversary of the MLK Scholarship Breakfast as the community gathered to celebrate the academic achievements of 6 young men from Northwest Ohio: Brandon Burks/Cardinal Stritch, Jabari Jackson/E.L. Bowsher, Christopher Lash/St. Johns Jesuit, Wakeso Petterson, Jr./Jesup W. Scott, and Dannie Young IV/Emmanuel Christian.
Bishop Rudolph McKissick, Jr. gave the keynote address with his Sunday cadence feeling right at home on a Saturday morning as he transformed The Pinnacle into the pulpit.
The Jacksonville, Florida pastor, who said 5 minutes after landing in snow covered Detroit “the Lord reminded me why I left Toledo in 1995”, warmed the hearts of those present as he spoke fondly of Dr. King and his enduring legacy.
The Bishop said there was a need to “clean the basin”, clean up the mess of former generations so young folks today aren’t burdened with that responsibility. We can clean the basin by voting, promoting education and securing affordable housing and healthcare for all, among other things. He said people of color can’t be satisfied “with just being in the room” where table talk takes place. He said we must demand a seat at the table “with the movers and shakers” so we can influence decision making and promote our own agenda. He also stressed the need to abandon the “crab mentality” of pulling one another down instead of supporting black owned businesses.
Bible references were sprinkled throughout the address as he spoke about the “King of Kings” and the resurrection of Lazarus. He also touched on politics and family engagement. Even hip-hop artist Drake was mentioned by the Bishop for his vison of seeing “the picture beyond the big picture.”
The Bishop made sure all left this breakfast well fed.
The B4B Ambassadors in attendance included Jaden Jefferson, Jalen Jefferson, Dorian Meyers, Kaden Robertson, Tyson Robinson, Ahmed Said/Tunisia, Bora Simsek/Turkey, Mamadou Sy/Senegal and Joshua Washighadi/Kenya.
Ohers seated at the B4B table were Tracee Ellis, Local Coordinator of American Cultural Exchange Service, retired B.G.S.U. professor Dr. John Scott and Christopher Smith, Lead MENtor with B4B.
Other dignitaries present were Kristian Brown, WTVG News Anchor, Wade Kapszukiewicz, Toledo Mayor, Dr. Willie McKether, Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion at The University of Toledo and Rhonda B. Sewell, Manager of External and Governmental Affairs at the Toledo Lucas County Public Library.
Special thanks to Brandon Tucker, Chapter President, Rev. John C. Jones, Vice President and Andre Page, Corresponding Secretary and Books 4 Buddies Board Member.