Unity in the community and a pledge to keep King’s vision going at the city’s MLK Jr. Day salutes.
Boca High School’s marching band and motorcycle police lead the march from Pearl City’s King memorial to Mizner Park.
“Twenty-twenty means angels to give you guidance to embrace life with enthusiasm and optimism,” said emcee Rev. Henry Willis. He set the upbeat tone for the ceremony on the field next to the amphitheater.
There were proclamations and quotes from King’s famous letter from Birmingham jail in 1963. King was assassinated in April 1968. The holiday observes his birthday; he would have turned 91 on Jan. 15.
Real progress in King’s view would mean decent housing and better employment, County Commissioner Robert Weinroth said in his keynote speech. “He was a beacon for all of us and really showed us a roadmap for living together,” he said.
Mayor Scott Singer revealed the city set aside funds to meet with neighbors in historic Pearl City and in Lincoln Court. The interracial group called D.I.S.C. will organize the meetings and organized MLK Day for the city, he added.
D.I.S.C. president Marie Hester presented the humanitarian award to a surprised and emotional Crystal Spears. She goes above and beyond her community revitalization work for Habitat for Humanity South Palm Beach County, Hester said.
Rev. Andrew Sherman introduced clergy members of the longstanding Boca Raton Interfaith Clergy Association and its youth group. Shuantae Goddard sang an acapella “Wind Beneath My Wings.”
Then a pledge for racial justice. And a cue to start the music and blow up the bounce houses for the all-day celebration for the kids.
By Marci Shatzman
