Members of the Madison community celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the Overture Center Monday by recognizing citizens who have contributed their time and talent to the city.
Rev. Dr. Trinette V. McCray, president of the Housing Ministries of American Baptists in Wisconsin was the event's keynote speaker. She spoke of the significance of President Obama's inauguration the day after Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream is followed by President Obama's hope '¦ [and his] hope speaks loudly,"" she said.
McCray emphasized the responsibility the community has in order to make change possible in America.
""The responsibilities of change are in our hands, the responsibility of change is in everyone '¦ we have the chance to change our own habits, to change our own behaviors and preferences,"" she said. ""We must become the change we want to see.""
The Martin Luther King Jr. Community choir performed at the event while Madison leaders presented awards to active community members after McCray spoke.
Mayor Dave Cieslewicz presented the humanitarian award to Milele Chikasa Anana, publisher of Umoja Magazine, a publication that caters to the African-American people of Madison.
Oscar Mireles, director of the Omega School and president of the Board of Directors for Centro Hispano, received an award of recognition for his service.
Kathleen Falk, Dane County executive, described Mireles as ""a special person"" who worked tirelessly for the community.
""[He] is the hope of inspiration of the commitment to community as Dr. King has inspired all of us to do,"" she said.
Rev. Mark Clinger said the annual goal of the event is to celebrate and keep the teachings of Martin Luther King Jr. alive but he emphasized the goal of this year's celebration went beyond that.
""Tonight is a night where we really have the opportunity to step forward into a new world,"" Rev. Clinger said. ""Tomorrow the word for justice and equality can really take root in a new way because the administration is now saying 'welcome.'
