Living the Legacy – Honoring Dr. King

Annual MLK Jr. Day luncheon inspires attendees

By Amber Washington/reporter@trcle.com

Jerri Grant, keynote speaker for the East Cleburne Community Center’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day luncheon on Monday, encouraged attendees to continue living the legacy King left behind. Amber Washington/Times-Review

A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step, Dallas motivational speaker and founder of JGR Group, LLC, Jerri Grant told attendees of East Cleburne Community Center’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day luncheon Monday.

Monday was the 26th anniversary of the federal holiday, which is celebrated the third Monday of January. King was assassinated April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tenn. He would have been 83 years old.

“Dr. Martin Luther King; he fought because people of color could not eat in the same restaurants, because people of color could not drink from the same water fountain, because our children could not shop at the same stores, because our children could not attend the same schools,” Grant-Robertson said.

The keynote speaker encouraged attendees to continue the legacy King started with his speeches and his strength to stand up for his beliefs.

“He had a never-quit attitude,” Grant-Robertson said. “He had a vision of where we are today. Today, I am happy to tell you Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life was not taken in vain. His passion still lives in each and every one of us.”

Grant-Robertson is a former model and local pageant winner who studied at Dallas Baptist University, focusing on business management. Her new book, “W.I.N.E for the Mind,” a collection of short stories from her personal experiences, is endorsed by renowned motivational speaker Zig Ziglar. She said everyone, no matter their race, religion or background, has the opportunity and ability to continue King’s work and to better themselves.

“In 1957, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. formed the Southern Christian Leadership Conference to begin to fight segregation and fight for civil rights,” Grant-Robertson said. “We have desegregated most of our churches, we have desegregated our businesses, our schools, our hotels and our universities. For the first time, we have an African-American president.”

Amid cheers, Grant-Robertson reminded listeners that the journey doesn’t have to end with President Barack Obama’s accomplishment.

“If a journey begins with a single step, have you taken a step today?” she asked. “We can’t wait for another Martin Luther King to be born. He is already here. He is within all of us. Do not die with your dream inside of you. It only starts with one small step.”

Husband and wife Clifford and Hattie Warner said they enjoyed Grant-Robertson’s enthusiasm and were motivated by her speech.

“She did a marvelous job, the way she presented herself, the way she presented Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” Clifford said. “We should always strive to better ourselves to the best of our ability. We need to be the best that we can be and never let that dream fade away.”

Hattie agreed. “It was wonderful, just encouraging to everyone — not just blacks, not just whites, but all races. It was a great reminder to all of us.”

Former Johnson County Commissioner R.C. McFall served as master of ceremonies.
Stephanie Thompson sang “The Negro National Anthem” followed by the Thompson Family, who sang the national anthem.

The Rev. Kirklin Cross and the Rev. David Baldwin Sr. provided the invocation and benediction, respectively.