“Dr. King distinguished himself by not cowering or moving back from challenges.” – Triangle Urban League President Keith Sutton

Friends, families and neighbors from all across the region gathered on Monday, January 17, 2005, to celebrate the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday at the 24th Annual MLK Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast.  The event, held at 8am at the Sheraton Imperial in RTP, embodied the theme “Let's Celebrate & Elevate” with an enthusiastic slate of speakers and musical guests.

The Rev. Dr. Michael Bruce Curry, the 11th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina provided the keynote address, inspiring the crowd to reflect on, and follow through, with King's dream. 

“We must join hands that good folks of all kinds will stand up and say we're going to end this nightmare and establish this dream,” he said.

Curry gave an energetic retelling of the story of Moses and the plight of the Hebrew slaves, paralleling them to the African slaves in America .  He quoted the mini-series Roots saying, “You may be born into slavery but slavery doesn't have to be born into you.”

Curry received a rousing standing ovation, challenging the crowd that “we must somehow find the inner strength” in this “season of struggle.”

Several speakers focused on the findings of a recent WRAL-TV documentary.  “Lost Generation” pointed out that although only 10% of North Carolinians are black males, that same demographic comprises 60% of the prison population in the state.

Keith Sutton, President of the Triangle Urban League, made a speech entitled “Why We Can't Wait” based on the findings of “Lost Generation.”

“There is much to be done,” said Sutton.  “We cannot be one America, one North Carolina, or one Triangle until we begin to effectively bridge the gaps that exist in our state.”

The MLK Committee recognized the creators of the documentary for their work in bringing such statistics to light.  WRAL-TV Documentary Producer Clay Johnson, Documentary Researcher Kim Williams, Documentary Photographer Jay Jennings and Anchor Gerald Owens each received a plaque during the program.

Owens spoke about the impact of the project and praised the three who produced it saying, “These three [Johnson, Williams & Jennings] approached a topic some people would say didn't affect them directly, but for those who look more like me.”

CBC donated 1,000 DVD copies of the program to give in honor of Dr. King as a gift to the community for guests at the breakfast. 

CBC President & CEO Jim Goodmon also took the podium because CBC has been a sponsor of the event for the past 15 years.  Goodmon spoke straight with the crowd, saying that “we need to agree with shared values and then move ahead.”  He cited his three concerns as “I believe that everyone should have access to healthcare. I believe that everybody should have access to housing.  I believe that everyone should have access to a quality education.” 

“We just talked about what we need to do,” he said.  “Now let's just do it.”

A wide variety of religious and community leaders from across the Triangle offered prayers & words of welcome at the event.	Chapel Hill Mayor Kevin Foy said, “Each of us must carry on the struggle from our hearts.”	Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker brought greetings from the capital city.
Rev. Dr. J.R. Manly emceed the event.	“The one option we don't have is to do nothing,” said Triangle Urban League President Keith Sutton.	The MLK Committee honored WRAL's Kim Williams (l to r), Clay Johnson, Jay Jennings & Gerald Owens for their work on the documentary “Lost Generation.”
WRAL's Clay Johnson receives a plaque for the information he brought to the forefront in “Lost Generation.”	The Interfaith Youth Alliance performed several selections for the crowd, singing about “Love in Any Language.”	Joseph B. Cutchins, Jr. opened the program with a message in song.
CBC President & CEO Jim Goodmon talked about the need for affordable housing and healthcare funding.	The Right Rev. Michael B. Curry enlivened the crowd with his keynote address.	Rev. Michael Curry told the crowd that we all have “something called goodness.”
Iman Kenneth Mohammad offered a Prayer for the Less Fortunate.	Dr. Thelma Lennon introduced the clergy and elected officials who attended the event.	Rev. Minnie McCoy, founder of The Family Place, participated with a prayer.