Moving the Dream Forward in Hazard

To honor the life, legacy, and leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the local NAACP continued the Perry County tradition by co-hosting a community breakfast with the Hazard Community and Technical College (HCTC) and march downtown.  The breakfast brought friends and allies from several surrounding counties together to celebrate their diversity and commitment to "move the dream forwardâ€, the theme of this year’s event.   KFTC members from the Perry County chapter were there to celebrate this day of community engagement and dedication to social justice. 

The breakfast, leading up to the march, featured community organization tables, a children’s craft space, native flutist performance, keynote speaker and Affrilachian poet Ricardo Nazario y Colon, and the lighting of candles in honor of Perry County educators of color.  Local media outlets were even there to cover the day of celebration and highlight the work of the NAACP and allies.

KFTC members joined in the march, while singing "We Shall Overcomeâ€, through downtown Hazard to the Consolidated Baptist Church.  There, the church family and visitors celebrated King’s dream through song, fellowship, and later, food.  

During the church service, Rev. John Pray, of the First Baptist Church of Town Mountain, spoke about his famiy's dedication to military service to this country and the history of people of color who have served and died in our country’s wars.  He expressed saddest of the institutionalized under- and misrepresentation of Black history in this country.  Ludrenia Hagans-Shepard, NAACP president and HCTC professor, built on his words to finish the event.  She stressed the importance of moving King’s dream forward through our children and dedication to the education of the next generations.

Perry County chapter members enjoyed honoring the legacy of an important civil rights and social justice leader and local heroes in the fight for more equality in our region.  Chapter members connected with new and old friends and will be following up with folks who expressed interest in KFTC's voting rights campaign.