By Mark Hansel
NKyTribune contributor
More than 500 residents and community leaders attended the annual Northern Kentucky Branch NAACP Reverend, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Outreach Luncheon at the Newport Syndicate Monday.
Jerome Bowles, president of the Northern Kentucky Unit, NAACP, said it is the support of the community that continues to make the event a success every year.
“It’s an outstanding event that helps us keep Dr. King’s dream of a beloved community alive,” Bowles said. “There are a lot of great things happening in our region and our nation in terms of bringing people together and this is just one of many events.”
Kyla Woods, WLWT News 5 Today traffic and special assignment reporter.NK was mistress of Ceremonies for the 11th annual outreach luncheon. Sean L. Rugless, president and CEO of the African American Chamber of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky was the keynote speaker.
Rugless focused on the theme of this year’s event, “In his footsteps…The Dream Today.” He spoke of how the efforts of civil rights leaders from the past laid the groundwork for him to succeed and how today’s leaders must provided similar opportunities for future generations.
“As the black son of a single parent, statistically, I should not be here today,” Rugless said. “But there was a climate that was created that enabled my mother to face the realities of her time and seize the promise of a better tomorrow. The national influence of platforms that involved the NAACP and civil rights leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King played a significant role in shaping me into the man I am today.”
The program included the presentation of scholarships to several Northern Kentucky students and awards to recognize members of the African American Community.
The annual Keeper of the Dream Award was presented to Charles Kirtley of the National Committee on Youth.
“It’s a privilege and honor to receive this award and it’s a huge accomplishment,” Kirtley, of Covington, said.
Bowles said there is still a long way to go to achieve King’s dream, but the gap is narrowing.
“We want people to come together and work collaboratively on solutions that can help improve our society,” Bowles said. “Dr. King laid out a blueprint for us in his era that is up to us to continue.”
