By Mark Hansel
NKyTribune managing editor
A crowd of more than 500 filled the Newport Syndicate Monday for the 14th Annual Northern Kentucky Branch NAACP Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Outreach Luncheon.
Northern Kentucky NAACP Branch President Jerome S. Bowles said the event was a tribute to the unity among all people that Dr. King aspired to achieve.
“We are fortunate to have the support of the region, to host an event like this,” Bowles said. “Particularly our city of Newport officials the school district here, and all of the other regional educational and corporate partners that make the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Outreach Luncheon possible.”
The theme of the event this year was “Where Do We Go From Here” and Bowles said with so much change in the country and unrest in some communities it is an important question to explore.
“We are living in certain times and there is a perception that our country is divided,” Boles said. “We want to help bring our country together and we think events like this and the message our keynote speaker will deliver will only help us move forward.”
The keynote speaker of the Northern Kentucky Branch NAACP Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Outreach Luncheon was Dr. Monica Posey, president, Cincinnati State Community and Technical College (photos by Mark Hansel).
The keynote speaker, Dr. Monica Posey quoted liberally from the messages of Dr. King and talked about her own career accomplishments and failures to deliver a message of forgiveness and perseverance.
“Failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts,” Posey said.
Posey, president of Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, is the first African American woman to rise to that position at a major educational student in the Greater Cincinnati area.
Three generations of the Lowe family from Newport were on hand for Monday’s celebration.
Willa Lowe, said her niece, Chrysten Lowe, knows the messages of Dr. King and now she wants to share them with her great-niece, Kamaria.
“It’s important to pass on the notion of nonviolence that Dr. King stood for,” she said. “We are losing people, young people, so somewhere, someone has to emerge to bring Dr. King’s message to even greater heights. Sure we celebrate his message every January, but we have to carry that message through the year; we can’t stop.”
Three generation of the Lowe family from Newport attended the luncheon. Willa Lowe, right, said it is important to pass the message of Dr. King down to future generations. Her niece, Chrysten Lowe, and great-niece, Kamaria Lowe, joined her at the event.
Kamaria Lowe brought her mother to tears by explaining that even at a very young age, the message has gotten through.
“It was really unfortunate that Dr. King died because he tried to teach us to love and that’s what we need to do,” Kamaria said. “That’s why we need to celebrate his life every year.”
One of the highlights of the event every year is the Northern Kentucky NAACP Branch presentation of scholarships to area students.
Newport Independent Schools superintendent Kelly Middleton said it is rewarding to see students and former students contribute to the community.
“We have several students here today, some of them are hostesses and speakers and it’s a packed house, so it’s a good day,” Middleton said. “As a superintendent, there is nothing that makes me more proud than to see someone get on the stage and say they are a former student of Newport High School. It’s such a good feeling and I’ve already heard it a couple of times today.”
The Second Baptist Church Mass Choir performs at Monday’s luncheon.
Other highlights included the singing of “Lift Every Voice” by NKY NAACP executive branch member Crystal Madaris and a stirring rendition of the “National Anthem” by Lloyd Memorial High School senior Jahara Evans.
As the second term of the first African American President of the United States comes to a close Bowles said it is important to put God and country before politics and self-interests.
“President Obama did an outstanding job and he followed the blueprint of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” Bowles said. “It’s about love, peace and beloved communities and he demonstrated that throughout his presidency. We are hopeful that the legacy of Dr. King will continue to live in the hearts and minds and actions of our new administration.”
Brianna Harper, a reporter with WCPO television and a member of the National Association of Black Journalists, was Mistress of Ceremonies.
Contact Mark Hansel at mark.hansel@nkytrib.com
