Your Voice has Power – Kent County’s Martin Luther King Jr Breakfast

Photo: Kent County High School Jazz Band — Kent County High School Jazz Band

The Annual Kent County Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast this year was titled, “Your Voice Has Power”.

The program open with a breakfast by the Rock Hall Volunteer Fire Company and music by the Kent County High School Jazz Band.

Photo: Dr Patrick Nugent — Dr Patrick Nugent

Dr Patrick Nugent, Acting Director of the Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience at Washington College, was the Keynote speaker. He spoke on a about a couple of subjects, including how the words of Dr King contributed to his career as a Historian. King, he said, used history, both global and local, in ways to bring on civil rights in the US.

Dr. Nugent spend some of his time talking about a new project, Cheasapeake Heartland, a collaboration with the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The project seeks to preserve, digitize and make accessible the African American history in Kent County. This is just the fourth following Baltimore, Denver, and Chicago.

A number of awards were given during the 2 hour ceremony.

Photo: Revs David Ryan and James Diggs — Revs David Ryan and James Diggs – Samaritan Group

The Chester Valley Minister’s Association gave out grants to The Vincent Hynson Scholarship Fund at Washington College, The Good Neighbor Fund, Samaritan Group and the Food Pantry.

Photo: The Vincent Hynson Memorial Youth Awards, sponsored by the Arts Council, were given: Olivia Johnson, 7th Grade — The Vincent Hynson Memorial Youth Awards – Olivia Johnson, 7th Grade

The Vincent Hynson Memorial Youth Awards, sponsored by the Arts Council, were given to Love Ki’Onna Jackson – 6th grade, Olivia Johnson – 7th grade and Jamiya Christy – 8th Grade.

The Dr. Martin Luther Kings Jr Humanitarian Award were given to Rev David Ryan, and High School Senior Alexus Abner.