33rd Annual Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast

By Jennifer L. Warren

POUGHKEEPSIE – “Everything I have learned has come from loss.”

The dead silent crowd at Friday’s 33rd Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast, inside of the Majed J. Nesheiwat Convention Center, intently absorbed these words delivered by the morning’s Guest Speaker, Marisa R. Lee. The Founder/CEO of Beacon Advisors, Lee, a John Jay High School graduate as well as 2001 MLK Youth Honoree, who formerly worked for Obama’s, My Brother’s Keeper Alliance, relayed words centered upon her high school days, filled with taking care of her mother (diagnosed with MS), who passed away early in her life. Adding to that devastating loss was the deaths of two of her cousins, one to domestic violence, as well as her own loss of fertility. Faced with multiple crossroads, the determined, ever-positive, forward-looking Lee, selected the only path she deemed worthy.

“I chose to deal with loss, by choosing to live with hope; it’s a disciplined process and believing is a choice,” affirmed Lee, the author of HOW TO LIVE, focusing on how to live with pain, including one of the most incisive: racism. “Dr. King’s Dream is still not realized; as black people, we can choose hope or resignation; racism hurts us all.” She added, “We must not act as if MLK’s Dream has been realized; it has not, but requires honesty, work and discipline.”

It’s in that very spirit that the Catharine Street, Inc. created a MLK Breakfast in January, 1992. Then Board President, John E. Boy, envisioned that event, initially wielding 50 guests, to evolve into an annual event. That vision has been fully realized, as the Breakfast has evolved into the largest, most diverse and inclusive celebration in the Mid-Hudson Region. Known for its esteemed guest speakers, community honorees as well as scholarship awardees, the event blossomed to 600 guests in 2011 and has only grown larger since.

This year’s Community Honorees included; Christopher Silva, Cora Mallory Davis (Posthumously), William Davis and the Richard K. Wager Inclusive Champion Award recipient, Christ Episcopal Church in Poughkeepsie.

“This is truly a dream job,” said Community Honoree Silva for his talents and commitment directed at theatre as a director, producer and administrator. “You are all here today because this is about community; I really try to stress to the children I come into contact with to work hard, stay focused and your dreams will come true.”

Accepting the Richard K. Wager Inclusive Champion Award on behalf of the Christ Episcopal Church was Reverend Susan Fortunado, who alluded to one of her favorite MLK quotes.

“The time is always right to do the right thing,” said Fortunado, thanking everyone for the inclusivity laurel. “The reason we do this work is we believe in the potential of the children in Poughkeepsie and their being able to pursue Dr. King’s Dream of a better future.”

Those youth, such a central piece to Dr. King’s Dream, were also on hand to receive their recognitions. This year’s Youth Honorees were; Rocco Casablanca (Orchard View High School), Ajeya Davis-Hernandez (Spackenkill High School), Janiyah L. Elias (Poughkeepsie High School) and Peter S. Sealy, Jr. (Poughkeepsie High School.) Each spoke in front of the large crowd about their appreciation for all who have supported them on their journeys as well as revealed their future plans, keeping MLK’s Dream alive, helping others with a focus on community, along the way.

“The world needs help,” said an animated Seely Jr., who aspires to a career as a pilot, helping people with that talent. “Watch out, because I just might be helping you some day.”
It’s those very much alive dreams of youth and other community heroes, who are doing the work, which fuels Lee to remain optimistic.

“I know we are winning, but are not done,” said Lee as she ended her remarks about fulfilling MLK’s Dream, “I know that if I am invited back 20 years from now, we will be even closer.”