By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–At Monday’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day community breakfast in Paris, Dr. Desmond Kemp asked why, in the year of 2023, we still are commemorating the ‘firsts’ accomplished by African-Americans. The breakfast was followed by a program and All-Star Basketball Game, held at the Henry County High School cafeteria and Gamlin gym.
Kemp is a writer, activitist and accomplished educator and it was noted that he also is the fist African-American to complete the American Studies program at Indiana University. But, he asked, “Why are we still having Black firsts in 2023?”
Dr. King “did the impossible and was an icon. But if he not done the impossible, would he still be alive? Would Black people still be in the back of the bus?”
Kemp asked the audience “to be the impossible. Be willing to try. You never know if you don’t make the attempt. Be the impossible. Rely on the blueprint of Dr. King.”
The morning’s program was sponsored by the Paris-Henry County Ministerial Alliance, Travis Ministries, and Need to Feed. Mistress of Ceremony was Olivia Perry, with Promise Foster leading everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance, Ejazz Tate performing a Spoken Word reading, and Andrew Travis performing live painting.
Monday night’s program begins at 6 p.m. and will be held at Mt. Zion Church on Irvine Street. The Drum Major for Justice award will be given to Sgt. Tony Hutcherson, who recently retired from the Paris Police, and a forum will be led by Rev. John Dandridge.
Photo: Rev. Desmond Kemp (with mike), talks with audience members Cheyenne Long, Promise Foster. Rev. Simone Travis and Kendick Moore about reaching for the impossible. (Shannon McFarlin photo).