A capacity crowd of nearly 1,200 attendees filled the largest ballroom at Asheville’s Crowne Plaza Resort to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Sat., January 16. Dedicated to the memory of Clara Jeter, the theme of the 35th annual event was “A Call to Service.”
Event founder and director Oralene Anderson Graves Simmons received The Order of the Long Leaf Pine from April Riddle on behalf of North Carolina Gov. Pat McGrory. Among the most prestigious awards conferred by the governor, this recognition is given for exemplary service to the state.
Asheville native Rodney Johnson gave the keynote address. Mr. Johnson recently retired as the Executive Director for Parent Services from George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
The Spirit Choir, led by Damion McDay, performed several songs.
All photos by Virginia Daffron
- Damion McDay sings Precious Lord, Take My Hand
- Prayer breakfast attendees
- Oralene Simmons
- State Rep. Brian Turner
- A young attendee
- Prayer breakfast attendee
- State Rep. John Ager and Asheville City Councilman Keith Young
- Spirit Choir under direction of Damion McDay
- AB Tech students
- Wearing the color of the prayer breakfast
- Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer
- Elmira Warren, originally of Asheville, now of Gainesville, FL.
- Oralene Simmons
- Simmons receives Order of the Long Leaf Pine from NC Governor
- Responding to the Spirit Choir
- Rodney Johnson, keynote speaker
- Spirit Choir musician
- Capacity crowd in Crowne Plaza Expo Center
- County Commissioner Holly Jones and her daughter
- Prayer breakfast attendees
- Spirit Choir director Damion McDay
- Asheville Fire Department
- Miss Asheville 2016, Kahlani Jackson
- County Commissioner Brownie Newman
- Asheville Police Department
- A young attendee with friends
- Scholarship recipient Michael Davis
- Asheville City Councilman Keith Young
- Spirit Choir
- Kahlani Jackson, Miss Asheville 2016
- Spirit Choir under direction of Damion McDay
- Asheville City Council members (from left) Gordon Smith, (Vice Mayor) Gwen Wisler and Julie Mayfield
- Jacquelyn Hallum and Damion McDay
Looks like there was a great turnout for this event. Had I been still living in Asheville I would have been there. Continued success!
LOL, the “dream” has been hijacked by a bunch of con artist, thieves, and cronies. I dare say MLK would be ashamed today. And that’s a big IF his public persona matches the private person.
Surprise!Lulz has stopped in to take a dump in another comment section. Stay classy, Lulz!
LOL, oh but it’s true lulz. All indications point towards continued decline in black socioeconomic levels, continued poor educational performance, continued increase in one parent households, continued increases in black on black violence rates, continued increase in black incarceration rates. And the biggest joke of all is a room full of people stuffing their faces that think they have something to celebrate lulz. LOL, like they’ve accomplished something positive but in reality manipulate MLK for their own gain.