Topeka 'Living the Dream' banquet speaker became close to family of Martin Luther King Jr.
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The Rev. Markel Hutchins, guest speaker for the annual "Living the Dream" banquet taking place Jan. 14 in Topeka, was held in high regard by Coretta Scott King, widow of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
"I have great admiration for this thoughtful and articulate young man and I have every confidence that he will continue to make many significant contributions to the nonviolent struggle for justice, human rights and peace," she said in a quote posted on Hutchins' website.
Though Martin Luther King Jr. died before Hutchins was born, Hutchins grew up to become close friends with King's family, said an article published in 2006 after he confirmed to the Associated Press that Coretta Scott King had died at age 78.
A native of metropolitan Atlanta, Hutchins has since continued to be a human and civil rights advocate.
CNN has called him “one of the most important voices in today’s fight for civil rights,” according to the website for the Topeka-based nonprofit group Living the Dream Inc.
Hutchins is chairman and CEO of MovementForward Inc., described on its website as an "inclusive social change organization working to protect, promote, and advance the civil and human rights of all people."
He led more than 100 Atlanta-area church pastors and 25 police chiefs in 2009 in initiating an ongoing project called “One Congregation – One Precinct,” aimed at uniting law enforcement and faith-based communities to address crime.
'Why We Can't Wait' is celebration's theme
Hutchins will be guest speaker next week at a banquet expected to be the highlight of a series of events held annually here since 1985 by Living the Dream to celebrate the anniversary of King's birth.
King was born Jan. 15, 1929, and became one of the most prominent leaders in the Civil Rights movement while advocating non-violence and civil disobedience. He was fatally shot by an assassin on April 4, 1968.
The Topeka observance is one of the nation's largest and longest-running celebrations of King's life and legacy, according to its website.
"Why We Can't Wait" is the theme for this year's celebration.
Admission is $60 for banquet
Hutchins will speak at the celebration's annual Scholarship and Awards Banquet, which regularly draws hundreds of people.
The doors will open at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, to the Regency Ballroom at the Ramada Hotel and Convention Center, 420 S.E. 6th. The program will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Graduating high school seniors and recipients of scholarships and community awards will be recognized.
Admission is $60, which includes dinner. Those who wish to receive invitations enabling them to RSVP to attend are asked to call Monica Augusto, banquet coordinator, at 785-274-6060.
There will be no charge to take part in any other of next week's Living the Dream events, said Cindy White, chairperson for Living the Dream Business Partners, that group's business component.
Observance to include food drive, story telling and senior center visits
Living the Dream and Topeka Unified School District teamed up beginning Thursday to carry out a food drive, through which they are collecting nonbreakable and nonperishable food items. Donations may be made through Jan. 31 at bins in Topeka Unified School District 501 buildings.
Community volunteers and Living the Dream members from Monday to Friday will tell stories about King's life and legacy to students at various Topeka-area preschools.
Students from Topeka High School’s Jobs for America’s Graduates program from Monday to Friday will deliver personal care baskets to select Topeka area senior centers for residents.
More:These 11 places played key roles in Black history of Topeka
Poetry competition to be Tuesday
The 16th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Poetry Competition for students in grades five through 12 will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday in Marvin Auditorium at the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, 1515 S.W. 10th Ave.
Students competing will recite their poems from memory in front of three judges, White said.
A reception will follow.
Annual Statehouse march to be Thursday
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly will join legislators and members of the Kansas African American Affairs Commission at 11:30 a.m. Thursday in leading a march that takes place annually as part of Living the Dream festivities.
The march will begin at the south doors of the Kansas Statehouse and culminate with Kelly's signing a proclamation at noon in the Statehouse's first-floor rotunda.
Those present will also hear from Angela Bates, director of the Nicodemus Historical Society.
More:How effectively is Topeka sharing its Black history? Educators, historians share contrasting views.
Annual worship service to be Sunday, Jan. 15
Living the Dream will partner with the Kansas Nebraska American Baptist Central Churches Region Area to have a worship ceremony at 7 p.m. Jan. 15 at New Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 2801 S.E. Indiana Ave.
The keynote speaker will be the Rev. T.D. Hicks, pastor of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church.
Chili and soup dinner, other activities set for Monday, Jan. 16
Three events will be held as part of Living the Dream festivities on Jan. 16, the federal holiday established to honor King.
The first-, second- and third-place winners on the 2023 MLK Art, Essay and Poetry Competitions will be recognized at 10 a.m. at New Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 2801 S.E. Indiana Ave. The winning artworks will be on display.
Living the Dream will partner with "Whose Dream Is It?" and the Topeka Center for Peace and Justice to sponsor the 29th Annual Community Celebration and Chili and Soup Dinner beginning at 6 p.m. at the New Life Baptist Church, 3601 S.W. 10th Ave. The food will be free.
A program will follow at 7 p.m. Beryl New, director of certified personnel and equity counsel for Topeka Public Schools, will be the keynote speaker. LaQuanda Jacobs, of the Innocence Project, will share her experiences regarding false imprisonment. Music will be provided by Ronnie Cushinberry and a community choir.
Living the Dream will team up with Harvesters — The Community Food Network on Jan. 16 and 17, to hold "National Day of Service" activities in recognition of King and the anniversary of his birth.
Community volunteers will gather to sort and repack food for children, families and senior citizens in need of assistance.
Volunteers must be 8 years of age or older. They are encouraged to donate vegetable, tomato or chicken noodle soup.
To volunteer, call 785-861-7750; email fighthunger@harvesters.org; or go online to https://www.harvesters.org/how-to-help/volunteer/volunteer-opportunities.
Contact Tim Hrenchir at 785-213-5934 or threnchir@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Topeka's Living the Dream Inc. to hold events to focus on MLK's legacy
