Youth Inspires Crowd at Annual Dr. M.L.K., Jr. Commemorative Breakfast

“I often close my eyes and visualize a world of genuine peace,” said Ammie Leachman, First Place Winner of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Essay Contest, to a crowd of more than 800 at the 24th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Breakfast on January 19, 2009.

“However while we have made progress, a number of disparities still exist, not only between blacks and whites, but among all races that make up the American society and culture,” said Leachman.

"Realizing that America is rapidly becoming a diverse nation, our leaders must ensure that all citizens are afforded the same opportunities; access to the same resources and their voices must be heard. This will not only insure we as a nation maintain a competitive advantage in the world but will lay a foundation for our future leaders to build upon. As one writer puts it, “ we’ve sown the seeds, and now it’s time to cultivate them.” It’s time to cultivate a sense of respect for all, regardless of race, economic background or cultural differences. It’s time to make some critical investments in our youth, communities and nation as a whole. We must begin to think and act globally. We must take note of were we have come from, were we are going and how we will get there,” added Leachman.

“With the election of our first African American president, many are now speaking the phrase, “Yes, we can.” Let’s now put that phrase into action and show other nations just how great, diverse and inclusive we are becoming. Let’s put some well thought out actions behind those words and move from yes, we can to yes, we did,” Leachman concluded.

Leachman, Senior at Roosevelt High School is one of many students from high schools in the St. Louis Metropolitan area that submitted essays in the 2009 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Breakfast Scholarships Essay Contest. Essays were submitted on the theme: “We will never have peace in the world until men everywhere recognize that ends are not cut off from means, because the means represent the ideal in the making, and the end in the process.” Trevon Adams, Clyde C. Miller Career Academy received second place and Brandie Stevenson, Gateway High School received third place for their essays.

In addition to the scholarship presentations, two individuals received distinguished awards. The YMCA of Greater St. Louis Human Dignity Award, which is awarded to a community leader who works to further human understanding, was awarded to Charlie A. Dooley, St. Louis County Executive. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute Award, which is given to an individual who takes lessons from Dr. King’s life and applies them to his or her own in order to advance the people they serve, was awarded to Rev. Gill L. Ford, Director of Unit Capacity Building for the National association for the advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

The YMCA of Greater St. Louis Boys Choir performed Lift Every Voice and Sing dance selections were performed by the Emerson Family YMCA Dance Troupe and the YMCA Creative and Performing Arts Center Dance Team, which is part of Urban Services at the Monsanto Family YMCA. Rev. Starsky Wilson, Pastor of Saint John’s United Church of Christ, gave the keynote address. The Commemorative Breakfast ended with the YMCA Boys Choir leading the audience in We Shall Overcome.

The Dr. Martin Luther King Commemorative Breakfast is a time of celebration and tribute to the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King. The Breakfast is a partnership between the YMCA of Greater St. Louis, the St. Louis Clergy Coalition and the National Pan Hellenic Council, Inc. of St. Louis. Anheuser-Busch Inc. is the participating sponsor.