Sen. Parker’s ‘A Shared Dream’ MLK Jr. tribute
By Tangerine Clarke
Sen. Kevin Parker told a
packed audience that Rev.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,
preached that only love could
heal hate, as he honored the
legacy of the civil rights leader
during the 15th Annual “A
Shared Dream” tribute at the
Goshen Temple of Seventh-
Day Adventists in Brooklyn.
“A joyous welcome to the
life and legacy of Rev. MLK Jr.
15th Anniversary tribute, a
labor of love that began during
my first year in office,”
the politician said recently,
noting that MLK Jr. in
his short 38 years, fought
for civil rights, which is an
important part of black history,
and plays a critical part
of who we are, our culture
and our community.
The politician, said education
was important to the
community, adding it was not
only a key to opening that
door, but a sledgehammer to
knock that door down, he
noted, before joining, board
members of “A Shared Dream
Foundation” to present scholarship
checks of $1,000.00 to
Shemar Cole and Chanelle
Wilson. The organization
looks forward to expanding
its scholarship program within
the next few years.
The Chairman of the Senate
Committee on Energy
and Telecommunications,
Sen. Parker, later, introduced
Leader of the Democratic Caucus,
Chuck Schumer, who, in
his greeting, said MLK was an
amazing man, needed today.
Sen. Schumer called for
Americans to stay united, and
not lose faith, adding that
MLK Jr.’s message was more
poignant today. “If we heed
his word and practice his
teachings, we will succeed,
and the bad people will fail,”
said Sen. Schumer.
Assemblywoman, Rodneyse
Bichotte thanked Sen. Parker,
who has collaborated with
the A Shared Dream Foundation
over the years, to honor
MLK Jr., noting that the work
legislators do in the community
was important to keeping
guns out of the hands of
kids, while ensuring education
is pivotal in ensuring
they receive the necessary
training needed.
Councilmember, now Public
Advocate, elect, Jumaane
Williams, also extended greetings
on the special MLK Jr.
tribute, calling on the community
to vote. Staff, Farah
Louis also attended the event.
A Libation by baba Ifayinka
(Carl Fanfair) and the IIe OSA
Knaran Yoruba, Cultural and
Spiritual Center, called up the
ancestors, while Rev. Charles
O. Calbreath of Clarendon
Road Church prayed for the
proceedings.
Caribbean L 42 ife, March 8–14, 2019 BQ
Grammy Award nominated, The Walls Group and Songstress Lisa Page Brooks, wowed the
audience with Hip-Hop style Gospel music. Photo by Tangerine Clarke
The tribute in “word &
sound” emcee by WLIB/WBLS,
host, Liz Black, followed, with
energizing performances, by
Grammy Award Nominated —
The Walls Group & Songstress
Lisa Page Brooks, who revved
up youth with their hip-hop
style gospel.
Kymberli Joyce — NBC
The Voice Finalist, in turn,
wowed the crowd, as invigorating,
Gospel greats, Group
Fire, and Jules Bartholomew
& Judacamp got the audience
on its feet.
Spoken word poet, Negus
Adeyemi, Ifetayo Cultural Arts
Academy, and Kym Hampton,
who paid tribute to Nancy
Wilson, brought together a
resounding honor, certainly
befitting MLK’s legacy.
Thanks to the generous
contributions of Charter,
Macys, Verizon, National
Grid, SHARE, Con Edison,
REBNY, Golden Krust and
Doc’s Cake Shop the event
was a success.
Dancers of the Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy during a spirited
choreography - Tribute to Our Ancestors.
Photo by Tangerine Clarke
From left, A Shared Dream Foundation Board Member, Bishop Orlando Findlayter, scholarship
recipients, Shemer Cole and Chanelle Wilson, Board Treasurer of A Shared Dream
Foundation, Donna Myrie, and Sen. Kevin Parker of the 21st Senate District, Brooklyn.
Photo by Tangerine Clarke