>> THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM IS A PBS WISCONSIN ORIGINAL PRODUCTION.

♪ >> BECAUSE I HAVE A DREAM THAT MY FOUR LITTLE CHILDREN WILL ONE DAY LIVE IN A NATION WHERE THEY WILL NOT BE JUDGED BY THE COLOR OF THEIR SKIN, BUT BY THE CONTENT OF THEIR CHARACTER.

I HAVE A DREAM TODAY.

[APPLAUSE] >> HELLO.

I'M DR. JONATHAN OVERBY.

WELCOME TO THE STATE OF WISCONSIN'S 43rd ANNUAL TRIBUTE AND CEREMONY HONORING DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. COMING UP, YOU'LL SEE HIGHLIGHT'S FROM TODAY'S EVENT RECORDED HERE IN THE STATE CAPITOL ROTUNDA.

OUR GUEST SPEAKER IS REVEREND MARCUS ALLEN, MT.

ZION BAPTIST CHURCH.

WE'LL HAVE MUSIC TO CELEBRATE KING'S LIFE AND WORDS TO REFLECT ON HIS LEGACY.

I HOPE THAT YOU ENJOY THESE HIGHLIGHTS FROM TODAY'S TRIBUTE AND CEREMONY HONORING DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. >> WELCOME.

GOOD AFTERNOON.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON.

>> ALL RIGHT!

MY NAME IS VANESSA MCDOWELL, CEO OF WYCA-MADISON, EXCITED TO BE HERE TODAY WITH ALL OF YOU.

AND I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE AND THE HONOR OF INTRODUCING A GOVERNOR WHO SEES US ALL.

SO HELP ME WELCOME GOVERNOR, WISCONSIN GOVERNOR TONY EVERS.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] >> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYBODY, AND THANK YOU, VANESSA, FOR THAT AND THANK YOU, VANESSA, FOR THAT KIND INTRODUCTION.

IT'S MY PLEASURE TO WELCOME YOU TODAY TO THE WISCONSIN STATE CAPITOL FOR THE 43rd ANNUAL TRIBUTE AND CEREMONY HONORING DR. MARTIN LU MARTIN LUTHER KIN.

TODAY WE REMEMBER HIS TIRELESS FIGHT FOR ALL PEOPLE AND REFLECT ON HOW HIS LEGACY STILL LIVES ON ACROSS WISCONSIN, ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND ACROSS THE WORLD.

IN CELEBRATING DR. KING, WE RECOMMIT OURSELVES EVERY DAY TO THESE IMPORTANT GOALS: TO FINDING THE THINGS THAT UNITE US RATHER THAN DIVIDE US AND TO THE VALUES WE HOLD DEAR.

I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THIS IMPORTANT WORK TOGETHER IN 2024 AND BEYOND AS WE LOOK TO ONE DAY ACHIEVE THAT FUTURE THAT DR. KING ENVISIONED FOR US.

SO THANK YOU.

AND NOW WITH THAT, IT IS MY DISTINCT PLEASURE TO PRESENT THIS PROCLAMATION.

AND I WILL FIND IT.

RIGHT HERE.

PRESENT THIS PROCLAMATION TO DR. OVERBY RECOGNIZING TODAY AS MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF WISCONSIN AND HONORING DR. KING FOR HIS PROFOUND LEGACY AND LASTING IMPACT THAT STILL LIVES ON IN OUR STATE TODAY.

JONATHAN?

[APPLAUSE] >> HEY, HOW ABOUT THIS, HUH?

HELLO, EVERYONE.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

[APPLAUSE] >> DR. KING SAID THAT JUSTICE IS BEST SERVED IN A SPIRIT OF LOVE, CORRECTING EVERYTHING THAT STANDS AGAINST LOVE, AND WE HAVE MUCH TO CORRECT.

THESE POINTED WORDS AUTHORED BY DR. KING, THEY SHOULD INSPIRE US ALL TO ACTION TODAY, TO REDUCE OUR NEGATIVE PERCEPTIONS OF EACH OTHER AND TO REACH OUT FIGURATIVELY SPEAKING ACROSS THE AISLE, TO REDUCE FEAR, WHICH IS GRIPPING OUR NATION, INDIFFERENCE AND THIS DEEP-SEATED HATRED FOR PEOPLE JUST BECAUSE THEY LOOK DIFFERENT.

THIS HAS GOT TO STOP.

SO I SAY TO YOU TODAY, LET US CELEBRATE EACH OTHER IN THE SPIRIT OF DR. KING AS WE, THE PEOPLE OF WISCONSIN, GATHER TO CELEBRATE NOT ONLY HIM, BUT THOSE THAT HAVE SUFFERED FROM THE SHACKLES OF HATRED, MARGINALIZATION, PEOPLE WHO ARE IMMIGRANTS WHO WANT TO COME HERE BECAUSE THEY SEE A BETTER OPPORTUNITY, WOMEN WHO ARE STILL TRYING TO CRACK THE GLASS CEILING.

WE MUST SHED THIS FEAR OF RESENTMENT FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO LOVE SOMEBODY JUST BECAUSE THEY WANT TO LOVE THEM.

SO I SAY TO YOU ALL TODAY HERE IN WISCONSIN, AS DR. KING SAID, LET US DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN A SPIRIT OF LOVE.

AMEN?

AMEN.

ALL RIGHT.

[APPLAUSE] >> NOW, DO YOU KNOW YOU THE HOME AND BIRTHPLACE OF TRADITIONAL AND BIRTHPLACE OF TRADITIONAL GOSPEL MUSIC?

DO YOU KNOW WHERE THAT IS?

I DO.

AND I'M DELIGHTED THAT WE ARE NOT ONLY GOING TO GET A TASTE OF IT, BUT SOME REAL SOUL FOOD TODAY FROM THE CHICAGO MASS CHOIR.

PLEASE GIVE THEM A BIG HAND, WITH DR. WILLIAMSON LEADING THIS ORGANIZATION FOR SO MANY YEARS.

GIVE IT UP FOR THEM!

CHICAGO MASS CHOIR.

♪ WHEN EVERYTHING ELSE FAILS ME ♪ ♪ I CAN GO TO THE ROCK ♪ I CAN GO TO THE ROCK ♪ WHEN TROUBLES AROUND ME ♪ I CAN GO TO THE ROCK ♪ GOD PROMISED THAT HE WOULD KEEP ME ♪ ♪ IF I ABIDE IN HIS HOLY WORD ♪ NO MATTER WHAT THE PROBLEM ♪ I CAN GO TO THE ROCK ♪ I CAN GO TO THE ROCK ♪ WHEN EVERYTHING ELSE FAILS ♪ WHEN EVERYTHING ELSE FAILS ♪ I CAN GO TO THE ROCK ♪ WHEN TROUBLES AROUND ME ♪ WHEN TROUBLES AROUND ME ♪ I CAN GO TO THE ROCK ♪ GOD PROMISED THAT HE WOULD KEEP ME ♪ ♪ IF I ABIDE IN HIS HOLY WORD ♪ NO MATTER WHAT THE PROBLEM ♪ I CAN GO TO THE ROCK ♪ I CAN GO TO THE ROCK ♪ JESUS, MY WAYMAKER ♪ HE MAKES A WAY EACH AND EVERY DAY ♪ ♪ NO MATTER WHAT THE PROBLEM ♪ I CAN GO TO THE ROCK ♪ I CAN GO TO THE ROCK ♪ JESUS, MY HEART FIXER ♪ WHEN I AM SAD HE MAKES ME GLAD ♪ ♪ NO MATTER WHAT THE PROBLEM ♪ I CAN GO TO THE ROCK ♪ I CAN GO TO THE ROCK ♪ JESUS, MY WAYMAKER ♪ JESUS, MY WAYMAKER ♪ JESUS, MY WAYMAKER ♪ JESUS, MY STRONG TOWER ♪ JESUS, MY STRONG TOWER ♪ JESUS, MY HEART FIXER ♪ JESUS, MY HEART FIXER ♪ I CAN GO TO THE ROCK ♪ I CAN GO TO THE ROCK ♪ I CAN GO TO THE ROCK ♪ I CAN GO TO THE ROCK ♪ I CAN GO TO THE ROCK ♪ I CAN GO TO THE ROCK ♪ I CAN GO TO THE ROCK ♪ I CAN GO TO THE ROCK ♪ I CAN GO TO THE ROCK ♪ NO MATTER WHAT THE PROBLEM ♪ NO MATTER WHAT THE PROBLEM ♪ NO MATTER WHAT THE PROBLEM ♪ I CAN GO TO THE ROCK ♪ I CAN GO TO THE ROCK [APPLAUSE] >> IT'S TIME FOR OF THE FIRST PRESENTATION OF THE 2024 MLK HERITAGE AWARD.

LISA JONES IS THE RECIPIENT THIS YEAR, AND SHE IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND THE LEAD ORGANIZER OF MILWAUKEE INNER CITY CONGREGATIONS ALLIED FOR HOPE, OR MICAH.

IT'S A MULTIRACIAL, INTERFAITH ORGANIZATION COMMITTED TO ADDRESSING JUSTICE ISSUES IN THE COMMUNITY OF MILWAUKEE.

THAT'S MY HOMETOWN, SO THERE'S SOME WORK TO BE DONE, I KNOW FOR SURE.

I THANK HER FOR BEING HERE TODAY AND FOR GOOD WORK AND FOR HER MISSION TO SECURE ALTERNATIVES TO JUST SENDING FOLKS TO JAIL WHEN THERE COULD BE SOME OTHER PATHWAY TO THEIR RECOV RECOVERYD THEIR REHABILITATION, IF YOU WILL.

[APPLAUSE] >> SO IT'S MY PLEASURE, COME ON, ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR TONY EVERS, I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT LISA JONES IS RECIPIENT OF THE WISCONSIN 2024 MLK HERITAGE AWARD.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] >> WOW.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, GOVERNOR THANK YOU SO MUCH, GOVERNOR EVERS AND THE SELECTION COMMITTEE AND THOSE WHO NOMINATED ME.

I WAS LIKE WHERE DID YOU GET THAT DESCRIPTION OF ME AND ALL THE THINGS THAT I'VE DONE?

BUT SOMEHOW SOMEONE KNEW ME, AND I REALLY PRESS APPRECIATE THAT.

THIS REMINDS ME OF THE LESSONS THAT MY PARENTS TAUGHT ME.

MY MOTHER'S NO LONGER HERE WITH US, BUT I REMEMBER SITTING WITH MY MOM AND DAD WATCHING TONY BROWN'S JOURNAL.

HOW MANY PEOPLE REMEMBER TONY BROWN'S JOURNAL?

[APPLAUSE] >> AND ALL THE JUSTICE WORK AND ALL THE THINGS.

SO IT REALLY FORMED ME IN WHO I AM.

AND SO I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE WORK THAT GOD HAS CALLED ME TO DO IN THIS FAITH WORK, REPRESENTING THE FAITH COMMUNITY, LOVING COMMUNITY FOR AN OPPRESSION-FREE WORLD.

I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR THAT!

[APPLAUSE] >> AND I KNOW THAT GOD KEEPS CALLING ALL OF US AND I KNOW THAT THIS IS MICAH'S 35TH YEAR.

IN 1988 CLERGY CAME TOGETHER TO CREATE MICAH AND SO FOR 35 YEARS MICAH HAS BEEN DOING THIS RACIAL JUSTICE WORK IN MILWAUKEE AND IN THE STATE AND UNITED STATES.

AND WE'RE AN AFFILIATE OF WISDOM.

AND THAT THEME TODAY, "ONE DAY, ONE DAY."

I BELIEVE IN THAT ONE DAY BECAUSE DR. KING BELIEVED IN THAT ONE DAY.

HE BELIEVED IN AN OPPRESSION-FREE WORLD WHERE WE ARE ALL HEALTHY, WE ARE ALL FIERCELY AND MENTALLY HEALTHY AND WE HAVE EVERYTHING WE NEED.

SO MAYBE THERE WILL BE ONE DAY WHEN WE DON'T NEED FOOD PANTRIES BECAUSE EVERYBODY WILL HAVE THE FOOD THAT THEY NEED.

EVERYBODY WILL HAVE A JOB.

[APPLAUSE] >> WE CAN FIND -- WE WILL HAVE ALTERNATIVES TO ALL THESE STUMTIONSYSTEMS OF OPPRESSION.

AND I WOULD LIKE TO JUST LEAVE YOU WITH A COUPLE OF QUOTES.

AND THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST QUOTES I REMEMBER, WHY I DO THIS WORK.

INJUSTICE ANYWHERE IS A THREAT TO JUSTICE EVERYWHERE.

SO WHEN YOUR SIBLING IS HURTING, THAT MEANS YOU HURTING, TOO.

AND THEN THIS IS ONE OF MY BEST QUOTES I LOVE FROM HIM.

AND HE SAID THIS: IF YOU LOSE HOPE SOMEHOW, YOU LOSE THE VITALITY THAT KEEPS MOVING.

YOU LOSE THAT COURAGE TO BE, THAT QUALITY THAT HELPS YOU GO OUT IN SPITE OF IT ALL.

AND SO TODAY I STILL HAVE A DREAM.

LET US ALL REMEMBER TO KEEP ANSWERING DR. KING'S CALL THAT ONE DAY, ONE DAY WE CAN GET TO A PERMANENT, BELOVED COMMUNITY WITHOUT OPPRESSION.

ONE DAY.

THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] >> HERE'S THE NATIONAL, >> HERE'S THE NATIONAL, AWARD-WINNING LATINO ARTS STRING PROGRAM, ESTABLISHED AT THE UNITED COMMUNITY CENTER IN MILWAUKEE, CREATED AND DIRECTED TODAY BY DINORAH MARQUEZ AND DESIGNED TO SERVE AS A PRE-COLLEGE MUSIC TRAINING PROGRAM FOR LATINO STUDENTS.

AND IT PROVIDES THEM WITH INSTRUMENTS, MUSIC MATERIALS, INDIVIDUAL LESSONS, SMALL GROUP AND LARGER ORCHESTRAS.

AND THIS MARIACHI ENSEMBLE IS ONE OF THE FINEST TO COME OUT OF OUR COUNTRY.

MAESTRA MARQUEZ NOW LEADS ONCE AGAIN THE MARIACHI JUVENIL GRANDES LEGOS.

[APPLAUSE] ♪ [INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC] [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] ♪ [INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC] [INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC] [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] >> IT IS TIME NOW FOR THE PRESENTATION OF OUR NEXT MLK TER THERITAGE AWARD.

SINCE 2012 DANIEL DANIELS HAS LED GROWTH, ACCESSIBILITY TO MADISON COLLEGE.

HIS TENURE INCLUDES COMPLETING THE BUILD OUT OF MADISON COLLEGE'S CAMPUSES, INSTRUCTING THE GOOD MAN SOUTH CAMPUS, CREATING PARTNERSHIPS, ESTABLISHING A CORPORATE TRAINING CENTER AND CREATING MADISON COLLEGE'S STEM CENTER.

ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR TONY EVERS, I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT DR. JACK E. DANIELS III, PRESIDENT OF MADISON COLLEGE, IS A RECIPIENT OF THE WISCONSIN 2024 MLK HERITAGE AWARD.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] >> I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF DR. JACK E. DANIELS III.

FIRST, THANK YOU FOR THE 2024 DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. HERITAGE AWARD.

I'M SO SORRY I'M NOT ABLE TO BE WITH YOU THIS AFTERNOON.

I'M DEEPLY HONORED AND APPRECIATIVE OF THIS RECOGNIZE NRECOGNITION.

I'M THANKFUL TO THIS COMMUNITY FOR ITS SUPPORT PROVIDING CRITICAL INPUT AND FRIENDSHIP.

BUT WHAT IS KEY IS OUR COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS TO MAKE CHANGE.

COLLABORATION IS BEST TO MAKE CRITICAL CHANGE AND KEEPING US ACCOUNTABLE IS KEY TO ENSURING THAT THE CHANGE EVIDENCES ITSELF AND IS SUSTAINABLE.

MY FOCUS SINCE I ARRIVED OVER TEN YEARS AGO IS TO UNDERSTAND THE COMMUNITY NEED AND INSTITUTE KEY INTERVENTIONS TO MEET THE NEED.

THOUGH MANY SEE GOODMAN SOUTH CAMPUS AS AN EXPRESSION OF MEETING THAT NEED, AND DESERVEDLY SO, IT COMES THROUGH LOUD AND CLEAR THE SUCCESS OF OUR STUDENTS THAT WE DO LISTEN TO THE COMMUNITY AND RESPOND IN A WAY TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND RESPECT THEIR NEEDS.

THIS HAS BEEN THE GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: LISTENING AND RESPECTING THE NEEDS OF EVERY COMMUNITY WE TOUCH IN OUR 12-COUNTY AREA.

AND IT COULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED WITHOUT COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND A COLLEGE THAT IS FOCUSED ON SERVING COMMUNITIES AND THE NEEDS OF ALL STUDENTS.

IT WOULD ALSO NOT HAPPEN WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF OUR BOARD, THE LEADERSHIP OF MY STAND-IN TODAY, FRANCIS HUNTLEY-COOPER, WHO HAS PROVIDED BOARD LEADERSHIP.

I ACCEPT THIS AWARD ON BEHALF OF EVERYONE IN THIS COMMUNITY WHO COMMIT THEMSELVES TO MAKING CRITICAL CHANGE IN OUR COMMUNITY TO IMPROVE THE COMMUNITY'S QUALITY OF LIFE WITH THE DEFINED INTENTION TO ENGAGE EACH AND CONTINUE TO MAKE INTERVENTIONS THAT MAKE THIS COMMUNITY AND THE STATE BETTER IN ADDRESSING ITS NEEDS.

THANK YOU.

DR. DANIELS.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] >> NOW, BEFORE WE MOVE ON, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU KNOW WHO THAT DON'T KNOW IF YOU KNOW WHO THAT WAS.

I SHOULD HAVE INTRODUCED HER, BUT I ASSUMED EVERYONE KNEW FRANCIS HUNTLEY-COOPER.

[APPLAUSE] >> JUST A LITTLE HISTORY FOR YOU, OR SHOULD I SAY HERSTORY?

SHE IS THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICN MAYOR WOMAN IN THE STATE OF WISCONSIN, RIGHT?

[APPLAUSE] >> JUST MAYOR.

>> JUST MAYOR.

JUST SHE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S RIGHT.

I KNOW I'M GOING TO HEAR ABOUT THAT LATER.

IT IS TIME TO INTRODUCE OUR GUEST SPEAKER TODAY, THE REVEREND DR. MARCUS ALLEN, SR., PASTOR OF MT.

ZION BAPTIST CHURCH, MADISON, WISCONSIN.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] >> DR. ALLEN JOINED MT.

ZION IN >> DR. ALLEN JOINED MT.

ZION IN OCTOBER OF 2016, AFTER SERVING HONORABLY IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY FOR OVER TEN YEARS.

DURING HIS MILITARY SERVICE, HE COMPLETED THREE, I SAID THREE, COMBAT TOURS IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN AND RECEIVED THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL, ONE OF THE HIGHEST MILITARY HONORS AWARDED IN THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES FOR THEIR MEMBERS.

GO AHEAD.

IT'S ALL RIGHT.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] >> HE EARNED A DOCTORATE IN MINISTRY FROM LIBERTY SEMINARY MINISTRY FROM LIBERTY SEMINARY AND A MASTER'S OF DIVINITY FROM THE SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY AT VIRGINIA UNION UNIVERSITY.

HE SERVES IN MANY WAYS: ADJUNCT PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF DUBUQUE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY SCHOOL, PRESIDENT OF THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COUNCIL OF CHURCHES, AND HE AND HIS WIFE TERRA, WHO I HAVE PERSONALLY HEARD HIM REFER TO HER NOT ONLY AS HIS WIFE, BUT HIS GIRLFRIEND.

SEE, I'M TELLING THE TRUTH.

JUST, I HEARD IT AND I JUST WANTED TO REPEAT IT PUBLICLY.

THEY HAVE THREE BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN: ALEXANDREA, MEKYAH, MARCUS, JR.. AND THERE'S MUCH MORE TO SAY.

BUT HE ASKED ME, HE SAID, DR. O, WHY?

WHY ME?

AND I JUST SAID "IT'S YOUR TIME."

AND I NOW ASK YOU TO WELCOME THE REVEREND DR. MARCUS ALLEN, SR. [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] >> WELL, THE EARTH IS THE LORD'S AND THE FULLNESS THEREOF.

THE WORLD AND ALL THEY THAT DWELL THEREIN.

FOR HE HAS FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS AND ESTABLISHED IT UPON THE WATERS.

LIFT UP YOUR HEADS, O YOU GATES.

LIFT UP YOU EVERLASTING DOORS.

AND THE KING OF GLORY SHALL COME IN.

WHO IS THIS KING OF GLORY?

THE LORD OF HOSTS.

HE IS THE KING OF GLORY.

TRULY I COUNT IT A PRIVILEGE AND AN HONOR AND A JOY TO BE BEFORE YOU TODAY.

I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO GOVERNOR EVERS AND FIRST LADY EVERS AND TO ALL THE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS HERE TODAY.

SHE HAS BEEN A WONDERFUL HOST FOR US.

[APPLAUSE] >> AND SHE'S A REPRESENTATIVE FOR WHERE OUR CHURCH IS LOCATED.

TO ALL THE DIG THAT TARERIES ON THE -- DIGNITARIES, THANK YOU.

AROUND 2014 MY WIFE AND I WERE DEBATING WHERE SHOULD WE MOVE BECAUSE WE HAD SMALL CHILDREN AND OUR CHILDREN NEEDED A GRANDMOTHER TO HELP US RAISE THEM KIDS.

AND WHILE ATTENDING A CONFERENCE, I WAS INFORMED IN VIRGINIA THAT MT.

ZION BAPTIST CHURCH WAS LOOKING FOR A PASTOR.

I APPLIED AND SOMEHOW I BECAME THE PASTOR OF THIS GREAT CHURCH.

WHEN I ARRIVED, I WAS INFORMED THAT MT.

ZION HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PILLAR IN THE COMMUNITY FOR AFRICAN-AMERICAN PEOPLE.

THIS CHURCH HAS BEEN AROUND IN MAY IT WILL BE 113 YEARS.

THE CHURCH'S VOICE HAS BEEN AMPLIFIED WHEN IT COMES TO SOCIAL JUSTICE AND DEMANDING SOCIAL EQUALITY FOR ALL.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, DR. KING'S FATHER VISITED MT.

ZION, AND WHEN BISHOP DESMOND TUTU CAME TO TOWN, MT.

ZION WAS ONE OF HIS STOPS.

IN 1916 THE CHURCH WAS ASKED TO MOVE FROM JOHNSON STREET TO FISHER STREET, WHERE IT NOW RESIDES, AND IT IS SAID THAT PASTOR DAWSON, WHO WAS THE PASTOR AT THAT TIME, TOLD THE MAYOR THAT HE DESIRED FOR THE CHURCH TO BE IN THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY.

IF YOU KNOW WHERE WE ARE LOCATED, YOU WILL AGREE, BECAUSE WE ARE NOT OFF A MAIN ROAD.

WE ARE TUCKED IN BY PENN PARK.

BUT OUR LOVE FOR THE COMMUNITY RADIATES AND ILLUMINATES OURúARD SUPPORT TO ANYONE WHO IS IN NEED.

FOR OVER 30 YEARS WE'VE HAD A FOOD PANTRY FEEDING FAMILIES.

FOR OVER 20 YEARS WE'VE HAD A LEARNING CENTER WHERE WE PROVIDE KIDS KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 10TH GRADE WITH EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT IN AN ATTEMPT TO CLOSE WHAT DR. BILLINGS CALLED THE OPPORTUNITY GAP WITH BLACK STUDENTS.

MT.

ZION IS A CHURCH OF ACTION, LOVE AND JUSTICE.

AND DUE TO OUR PROGRAMS ONLY BEING SUPPORTED AND FUNDED BY THE GENEROSITY OF OUR MEMBERS, WE DECIDED TO START A CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION, A SEPARATE 503C THAT WE PERFORMED THAT WE MIGHT HAVE A GREATER IMPACT IN OUR COMMUNITY.

IN 2020 WE PAID OFF THE MORTGAGE OF OUR CHURCH.

AMEN!

[APPLAUSE] >> AND OUR CHURCH IS NOW DEBT-FREE AND BLACK FOLKS FULLY OWN ONE OF THE LARGEST BUILDINGS ON THE BLOCK.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] >> AND CURRENTLY WE ARE STARTING A CAPITAL CAMPAIGN TO BUILD A FAMILY LIFE CENTER ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF MADISON TO BE ABLE TO HOUSE OUR PROGRAMS AND BETTER SERVE THE MADISON COMMUNITY.

AGAIN, I AM EXCITED TO BE THE SPEAKER OF THIS EVENT TODAY.

AND AS I RECEIVED THE THEME FOR THIS EVENT, I WAS TORN AS WHICH WAY TO TALK ABOUT IT.

I BELIEVE THAT THE THEME OF "ONE DAY" IS A POWERFUL STATEMENT.

BUT IT DEPENDS ON HOW IT IS PRESENTED.

"ONE DAY" CAN BE WHAT I CALL FAITH TALK, WHERE YOU ARE EXPECTING SOMETHING GREAT TO HAPPEN ONE DAY.

AND YOUR ACTIONS TODAY ARE PUSHING YOU TOWARDS THAT ONE DAY.

OR "ONE DAY" CAN BE DECEPTIVE TALK WHICH CAUSES YOU TO SETTLE FOR WHAT YOU RECEIVE TODAY BECAUSE YOU SUGGEST I WILL GET IT ONE DAY.

"ONE DAY" CAN BE USED AS A VISION CASTER FOR SOMETHING GREATER, BETTER OR MORE BENEFICIAL FOR YOUR LIFE, OR "ONE DAY" CAN LEAD TO APATHY WHERE YOU BECOME SATISFIED WITH THE RESULTS OF TODAY AND FAIL TO PREPARE FOR THAT ONE DAY.

I BELIEVE FOR SOME "ONE DAY" HAS PARALYZED OUR ABILITY TO PRODUCE JUSTICE, EQUALITY AND FREEDOM.

WE HAVE SETTLED FOR THE CRUMBS OF TODAY, EXPECTING THINGS TO GET BETTER ONE DAY.

WE HAVE DECIDED THAT THE WORK OF A BETTER DAY IS TOO HARD FOR TODAY, SO WE PUT IT OFF AS A DISTANT HOPE AND DECLARE WE'LL GET IT RIGHT ONE DAY.

THIS TYPE OF UNDERSTANDING OF ONE DAY HAS CRIPPLED MANY COMMUNITIES WHO HAVE LEANED AND DEPENDED ON THE PROMISES OF LEADERS WHO TOLD THEM THAT ONE DAY, BUT IT SEEMS AS IF ONE DAY CONTINUES TO DRIFT FARTHER AND FARTHER AWAY.

PROMISES OF EQUALITY IN EDUCATION, BUT YET STILL BLACK CHILDREN AREN'T LEARNING AT THE SAME RATE OF THEIR COUNTERPARTS.

I KNOW THAT THERE ARE DIFFERENT CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO THIS, BUT FOR THE LONGEST NO ONE WAS ABLE TO EXPLAIN TO ME WHY.

A FEW YEARS AGO, I WAS A GUEST SPEAKER AT ONE OF OUR HIGH SCHOOLS AND I ASKED THE STUDENTS WHAT DID THEY THINK WAS THE REASON FOR THE 2019 FOREIGN EXAM RESULTS, WHERE ONLY 9% OF BLACK CHILDREN WERE PROFICIENT IN MATH?

ONE CHILD RAISED HER HAND AND SHE SUGGESTED IT'S BECAUSE WHEN LITTLE JOHNNY NEEDS HELP, THE TEACHER TAKES TIME TO GIVE HIM THE HELP HE NEEDS.

BUT WHEN POKEY IS IN NEED, HE DOES NOT GET THE SAME SUPPORT.

AND THEN HE ACTS UP AND THEN HE'S KICKED OUT OF CLASS.

BUT IN EDUCATIONAL JUSTICE FOR MANY, WE DECLARE WE'LL GET IT RIGHT ONE DAY.

THE PROMISES OF HEALTH CARE IMPROVEMENT MAY HAVE BEEN EXPLAINED AS ONE DAY.

A FEW YEARS AGO AS I WAS IN A CLASS AT MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY RECEIVING A CERTIFICATE IN PASTORAL LEADERSHIP AND CULTURAL CONTEXT AND THE INSTRUCTORS INVITED THE PRESIDENT OF THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL IN MILWAUKEE, SHE STATED THAT IN MILWAUKEE IF YOU MOVE TEN BLOCKS, YOUR LIFE EXPECTANCY GAINS EIGHT TO TEN YEARS.

IN APRIL, 2020 MY MOTHER WAS SEVERELY SICK.

THIS WAS AT THE ONSET OF COVID-19, WHEN NO ONE REALLY UNDERSTOOD WHAT WAS GOING ON.

NO TESTING WAS AVAILABLE AND HOSPITALS WERE TRYING THEIR BEST TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM OVERCROWDED WAITING ROOMS.

MY MOTHER CALLED 911 BECAUSE SHE COULDN'T BREATHE, HAD A TEMPERATURE OF 103 AND HAD A BAD COUGH.

BUT AFTER BEING EXAMINED BY THE PARAMEDICS THEY LEFT HER IN HER ROOM AND REFUSED TO TRANSPORT HER TO THE HOSPITAL.

IT'S A SHAME THAT I HAD TO CALL ON EVERYONE I KNEW IN POWER JUST TO GET MY MOTHER SOME MEDICAL AID.

IT MADE ME EVEN MORE UPSET BECAUSE AS I WAS ON A ZOOM CALL WITH A CLERGY PERSON FROM OCONOMOWOC, SHE INFORMED ME SHE HAD A MILD COUGH.

SHE GAVE HER A TEST IMMEDIATELY.

AND MY BROTHER COULDN'T BREATHE BUT SHE COULDN'T GET ANY KIND OF MEDICAL SUPPORT.

I WONDERED WAS IT BECAUSE OF HER ZIP CODE.

BUT MANY WOULD JUST SAY WE'LL GET IT RIGHT ONE DAY.

IT PAINS ME TO KNOW THAT SOME AFRICAN-AMERICAN SERVICE MEMBERS WHO STOOD ON THE BATTLEFIELD FOR THE SAKE OF THE FREEDOMS OF THIS COUNTRY AND THE FLAG CAME BACK HOME NOT TO PARADES AND CELEBRATIONS, BUT TO RACISM AND HATE.

THEY HAD EARNED BENEFITS FOR HOUSING BUT WERE UNABLE TO BUY HOMES WHERE THEY WANTED TO, AND UNFAIR HOUSING PRACTICES HAS CRIPPLED THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY FROM GAINING GENERATIONAL WEALTH IN THIS COUNTRY.

AND TO THIS DAY, BANKS ARE STILL USING THESE UNFAIR PRACTICES BY EITHER DENYING BLACK PEOPLE FROM GETTING LOANS OR CHARGING THEM HIGHER INTEREST RATES THAN WHITE COUNTER PARTS.

YET STILL SOMEONE IS PROCLAIMING THE THEME OF TODAY, "ONE DAY" WE'LL SET IT RIGHT.

TELL US TO SETTLE FOR WHAT WE HAVE AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL GET IT RIGHT ONE DAY.

IT'S A SHAME THAT SOCIETY HAS BECOME MORE CONCERNED ABOUT OFFENDING WHITE STUDENTS WHEN TEACHERS TEACH ABOUT THE CRUELTY AND UNFAIRNESS AND INEQUALITY BLACK PEOPLE HAVE ENDURED IN THIS NATION.

IT'S PITIFUL THAT I WAS NEVER TAUGHT IN PUBLIC SCHOOL ABOUT BLAK WALL STREET, WHERE IN TULSA, OKLAHOMA, BLACK PEOPLE WERE SELF-SUSTAINED AND WEALTHY AND THEY WITNESSED THE FIRST TERRORIST GROUP TO ATTACK AND BOMB AMERICANS IN AMERICA.

AND IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT PEOPLE ARE ATTACKING DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION, BUT REFUSE TO IMPLEMENT LAWS TO REMOVE GUNS FROM THE HANDS OF THOSE WHO CONTINUE TO SHOOT INNOCENT CHILDREN IN SCHOOLS AND MALLS AND EVEN IN SAFE PLACES.

[APPLAUSE] >> NO.

NO.

NO.

NO.

I DON'T WANT TO LOOK AT "ONE DAY" AS A MAYBE.

BUT WE SHOULD LOOK AT "ONE DAY" AS A GUARANTEE AND OPERATE TODAY, HOPING THAT ONE DAY CAN BE TODAY.

AND JUNE 17, 1966 DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING GAVE A SPEECH DECLARING THERE WERE ONLY THREE WORDS HE WANTED TO STATE TO AMERICA TO PROVE THAT THEY WERE SERIOUS.

THE FIRST WORD WAS "ALL."

HE DECLARED WE DON'T WANT SOME RIGHTS.

WE WANT ALL OF THEM.

HIS SECOND WORD WAS "HERE," STATING HE DID NOT WANT TO MOVE FROM THE SOUTH IN ORDER TO EXPERIENCE THESE RIGHTS.

HE WANTED THOSE RIGHTS IN GEORGIA AND ALABAMA AND MISSISSIPPI.

HIS LAST WORD IS WHAT I WANT US TO FOCUS ON TODAY.

HIS LAST WORD WAS "NOW."

HE DID NOT HAVE TIME TO SETTLE FOR YOU'LL GET IT RIGHT ONE DAY, BUT HE DECLARED WE WANT THEM NOW.

AND THIS IS MY CHARGE TO ALL WHO ARE LISTENING TODAY, THAT NOW IS THE TIME FOR JUSTICE AND EQUALITY.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] >> NOW, I WOULDN'T BE A BAPTIST PREACHER IF I DIDN'T LEAVE YOU WITH SOME SCRIPTURE.

IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN CHAPTER 9 VERSE 4 JESUS DECLARES I MUST WORK THE WORKS OF HIM WHO HAS SENT ME WHILE IT IS DAY.

THE NIGHT IS COMING WHEN NO MAN CAN WORK.

JESUS IS INFORMING US ALL THATE- WE DON'T HAVE ALL DAY AND THE TIME TO WORK IS USED METAPHORICALLY FOR WHEN THE SUN IS UP.

FOR WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN, THIS LIFE IS OVER AND NO MAN OR WOMAN CAN WORK.

TO GET THE PICTURE OF WHAT JESUS MAY BE SAYING IN THIS VERSE, PICTURE A HARD-WORKING FARMER IN THE DAYS BEFORE MODERN FARM MACHINERY.

THE FARMER WILL RISE UP EARLY IN THE MORNING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF EVERY MOMENT OF THE DAY, EVERY MINUTE OF DAYLIGHT, CULTIVATING HIS CROP FOR WHEN THE HARVEST WOULD COME.

HE KNEW THAT NIGHT WOULD COME, SO HE WORKED ALL DAY LONG.

AND WHEN THE NIGHT CAME, HE RESTED WELL.

WELL-DESERVED REST FOR HIS DILIGENCE IN THE DAYLIGHT.

HE KNEW THAT IF HE WAS GOING TO HAVE A CROP TO HARVEST, HE MUST WORK DILIGENTLY EVERY WAKING MINUTE BECAUSE TIME WAS SHORT AND HE DID NOT HAVE ALL DAY.

AND JUST AS THE FARMER KNEW HE WAS TO MAKE THE MOST OF EVERY MOMENT OF DAYLIGHT, WE ARE TO MAKE THE MOST OF THE TIME THAT WE HAVE DOWN HERE TO ENSURE ONE DAY BECOMES A REALITY AND NOT A DREAM THAT DOES NOT COME TO PASS.

WE CAN'T WAIT FOR ONE DAY.

WE MUST BE COMMITTED TO TODAY AND USE THE PHRASE "ONE DAY" AS AN OBTAINABLE VISION.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE GREATER MADISON URBAN LEAGUE DISPLAYS THIS MOTTO OF ONE DAY AS A MISSION, BUILDING THE BLACK BUSINESS HUB THAT WILL HELP CREATE MORE BLACK BUSINESS OWNERS IN DANE COUNTY.

I KNOW ONE DAY HE HOPES TO INCREASE MORE BLACK HOMEOWNERS WITH HIS PROGRAM THAT HELPS BLACK PEOPLE BECOME FIRST-TIME HOME BUYERS AND GENERATE GENERATIONAL WEALTH.

DR. GLORIA BILLINGS IS THE EPITOME OF ONE DAY AS A VISION, WITH HER TIRELESS WORK IN IMPROVING THE EDUCATION OF BLACK AND BROWN CHILDREN.

VANESSA MCDOWELL IS DEVOTED TO MAKING SURE ONE DAY BECOMES A REALITY FOR WOMEN WHO ARE TRYING THEIR BEST TO STAND ON THEIR OWN TWO FEET.

ONE DAY WITH THE START OF ONE CITY SCHOOLS IS A PRIME EXAMPLE THAT GOD HAS SOMETHING GREATER FOR YOU WHEN PEOPLE DENY YOU AND CAN'T UNDERSTAND YOUR INITIAL VISION.

DR. ALEX G. HAS BLOWN THE TRUMPET OF ONE DAY, CREATING A CLASS TO TEACH OTHERS ABOUT BLACK HISTORY AND ALLOWING ALL TO KNOW THAT BLACK HISTORY IS AMERICAN HISTORY.

[APPLAUSE] >> DR. JACK DANIELS REFUSED TO TURN "ONE DAY" TO BE USED FOR APATHY WHEN HE DECIDED TO BUILD MATC CAMPUS ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF MADISON, STARTING A RENAISSANCE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

SHEILA STUBS WAS THE FIRST BLACK REPRESENTATIVE IN THE STATE IN MADISON AFTER BEING RACIALLY PROFILED WHILE CAMPAIGNING.

CARLA GAINES WHOSE IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITY HEALTH IS UNMATCHED WITH HER EAGER TONESS TO ONE DAY ENSURE THAT WE ALL RECEIVE FAIR AND EQUITABLE TREATMENT IN HEALTH CARE.

BARACK OBAMA AND KAMALA HARRIS ALL REJECTED THE CALL OF ONE DAY AND SETTLING FOR TODAY, BUT USED ONE DAY TO BECOME THE FIRST BLACK PRESIDENT AND VICE VICE PRESIDENT OF THESE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

[APPLAUSE] >> TO ALL THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN RESILIENT IN THIS NATION, DESPITE YOUR UNFAIR TREATMENT AND HATE, TO ALL WHO KNOW THEIR SELF-WORTH AND NOT SEARCHING FOR AFFIRMATION OUTSIDE OF WHO YOU ARE, THANK YOU FOR USING "ONE DAY" AS A VISION AND NOT A CRUTCH.

AND AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, VISITING THE JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER WAS AN IDEA I WANTED TO MAKE HAPPEN.

THE GOAL IS TO HELP YOUTH DEVELOP SOME FORM OF VISION.

IF THEY COULD SEE THEMSELVES BEYOND THEIR CURRENT STATE, MAYBE THEY WOULD TRY TO MAKE BETTER CHOICES.

AND I'M OFTEN LOOKING AT MY OWN LIFE, GROWING UP IN THE HOOD OF MILWAUKEE ON 12TH AND NORTH AVENUE, THE 53206 ZIP CODE.

MY MOTHER WAS A SINGLE, UNEDUCATED BLACK WOMAN TRYING TO RAISE FOUR BOYS BY HERSELF.

I NEVER HAD GREAT ASPIRATIONS FROM WHAT I SAW BECAUSE ALL I SAW WAS MY MOTHER WORKING HARD AT WENDY'S, BUT TO WATCH HER GO AND GET HER GED AND THEN GET AN ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE BUT NEGLECT TO WALK ACROSS THE STAGE TO GET HER OWN DIPLOMA TO WATCH ME GET MY DIPLOMA, HER HOPE FOR ONE DAY AS HELPED ME EXPERIENCE ONE DAY TODAY.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] >> ONE DAY.

ONE DAY.

MY HOPE TODAY IS THAT SOMEONE WILL HEAR THIS MESSAGE AND SAY I CAN MAKE IT TODAY BECAUSE MY ONE DAY IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

AND IN A LETTER FROM THE BIRMINGHAM JAIL DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

DECLARED TIME ITSELF IS NEUTRAL.

IT CAN BE USED CONSTRUCTIVELY OR DESTRUCTIVELY.

MORE AND MORE I FEEL THAT THE PEOPLE OF ILL WILL HAVE USED MUCH MORE EFFECTIVELY THAN HAVE THE PEOPLE OF GOODWILL.

WE WILL HAVE TO REPENT IN THIS GENERATION NOT MERELY FOR THE HATEFUL WORDS AND THE ACTIONS OF THE BAD PEOPLE, BUT THE APPALLING SILENCE OF THE GOOD PEOPLE.

HUMAN PROGRESS NEVER ROSE ON THE WILL OF INELIGIBILITY BUT IT COMES THROUGH THE TIRELESS EFFORTS OF MEN WILLING TO BE CO-WORKERS WITH GOD.

AND WITHOUT THIS HARD WORK, TIME ITSELF BECOMES AN ALLY OF THE FORCES OF SOCIAL STAGNATION.

WE MUST USE TIME CREATIVELY IN THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THE TIME IS ALWAYS RIPE TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT.

TODAY CAN BE ONE DAY, BUT IT REQUIRES ALL OF US TO UNDERSTAND THAT WORK IS REQUIRED TO BUILD BRIDGES AND CONTRIBUTE ALL OF OURSELVES TO HELP ELEVATE THE OPPRESSED AND THE DOWNTRODDEN.

WE HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER TO ENSURE THAT OUR CHILDREN HAVE EVERYONE ELSE.TUNITIES AS- WE HAVE TO ENGAGE FERVENTLY IN DISCOVERING MEANINGFUL WAYS TO IMPROVE THE ECONOMICS OF OUR COMMUNITIES THAT ARE POOR.

WE NEED TO TAKE PRIDE IN WHAT WE HAVE, WHO WE ARE AND WHERE WE'VE COME FROM.

AND I PLEAD WITH YOU ALL TODAY NOT TO ALLOW ONE DAY TO CAUSE APATHY OR COMPLACENCY, BUT USE TODAY TO WORK DI DILIGENTLY TO PRODUCE THE ONE DAY THAT WE ENVISION TO HAVE UNITY, EQUITY AND FREEDOM.

DR. KING IN HIS FINAL SPEECH ON THE MOUNTAINTOP DECLARED, LIKE ANYONE, I WOULD LIKE TO LIVE A LONG LIFE.

LONGEVITY HAS ITS PLACE.

BUT I'M NOT CONCERNED ABOUT THAT NOW.

I JUST WANT TO DO GOD'S WILL.

AND HE'S ALLOWED ME TO GO UP TO THE MOUNTAIN, AND I'VE LOOKED OVER AND I'VE SEEN THE PROMISED LAND.

I MAY NOT GET THERE WITH YOU, BUT I WANT YOU TO KNOW TONIGHT THAT WE AS A PEOPLE WILL GET TO THE PROMISED LAND.

AND I'M HAPPY TONIGHT.

I'M NOT WORRIED ABOUT ANYTHING.

I'M NOT FEARING ANY MAN.

MINE EYES HAVE SEEN THE GLORY OF THE COMING OF THE LORD.

AND TO THE STATE OF WISCONSIN, I AM CONFIDENT, AS DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. ON HIS LAST NIGHT ON THIS EARTH THAT THE VISION OF ONE DAY IS GOING TO ALLOW US TO PUSH HARDER TODAY, THAT WE MAY BE ABLE TO GET TO THAT ONE DAY, WHICH IS THE PROMISED LAND.

AND IF I WAS IN MY SANCTUARY, I WOULD LOOK AT MY CROWD AND I'D SAY WEEPING MAY ENDURE FOR A NIGHT, BUT JOY COMES IN THE MORNING.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] >> HERE TODAY TO RENDER AN EXCERPT FROM DR. KING'S 1963 SPEECH "I HAVE A DREAM" IS ALAYA MCMILLEN.

JUST 11 YEARS OLD.

AND HERE.

THAT'S FOR YOU.

AND SHE'S GOING TO RENDER THIS EXCERPT.

SHE LIKES VIDEO GAMES, CHAPTER BOOKS ABOUT SOLVING CRIMES, GOING TO CHURCH WITH HER DAD, SINGING IN THE CHOIR, HANGING OUT WITH HER LITTLE BROTHER AND FAMILY, GOING TO SCHOOL.

THEY LISHELIKES HER QUIET TIME.

ENJOYS HER DAD'S COOKING, MAKING PEOPLE LAUGH, RIDING HER BIKE IN THE SUMMER, WATCHING MOVIES AND GETTING HER HAIR DONE, WHICH MAKES HER FEEL PRETTY, LIKE A LITTLE PRINCESS.

AND PLEASE NOTE THIS.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT ALAYA WANTS TO BE WHEN SHE GROWS UP IS A POLICE OFFICER.

>> ALL RIGHT!

ALL RIGHT!

>> PLEASE GIVE HER A WELCOME, ALAYA MCMILLEN.

[APPLAUSE] >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON.

>> I AM ALAYA MCMILLEN, AS HE HAS SAID.

I AM 11 YEARS OLD AND I WILL BE READING PART OF MARTIN LUTHER KING'S SPEECH.

SO LET ME JUST GET ON STARTED.

SO EVEN THOUGH WE FACE THE DIFFICULTIES OF TODAY AND TOMORROW, I STILL HAVE A DREAM.

IT IS A DREAM DEEPLY ROOTED IN THE AMERICAN DREAM.

I HAVE A DREAM THAT ONE DAY THIS NATION WILL RISE UP AND LIVE OUT THE TRUE MEANING OF ITS CREED: WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS TO BE SELF-EVIDENT, THAT ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL.

I HAVE A DREAM THAT ONE DAY ON THE RED HILLS OF GEORGIA, THE SONS OF FORMER SLAVES AND THE SONS OF FORMER SLAVE OWNERS WILL BE ABLE TO SIT DOWN TOGETHER AT THE TABLE OF BROTHERHOOD.

I HAVE A DREAM THAT ONE DAY EVEN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, A STATE SWELTERING WITH THE HEAT OF INJUSTICE, SWELTERING WITH THE HEAT OF OPPRESSION WILL BE TRANSFORMED INTO AN OASIS OF FREEDOM AND JUSTICE.

I HAVE A DREAM THAT MY FOUR LITTLE CHILDREN WILL ONE DAY LIVE IN A NATION WHERE THEY WILL NOT BE JUDGED BY THE COLOR OF THEIR SKIN BUT BY THE CONTENT OF THEIR CHARACTER.

I HAVE A DREAM TODAY.

I HAVE A DREAM THAT ONE DAY DOWN IN ALABAMA WITH ITS VICIOUS RACISTS, WITH ITS GOVERNOR HAVING HIS LIPS DRIPPING WITH THE WORDS OF INTERPOSITION AND NULLIFICATION, ONE DAY RIGHT DOWN IN ALABAMA LITTLE BLACK BOYS AND BLACK GIRLS WILL BE ABLE TO JOIN HANDS WITH LITTLE WHITE BOYS AND WHITE GIRLS AS SISTERS AND BROTHERS.

I HAVE A DREAM TODAY.

I HAVE A DREAM THAT ONE DAY EVERY VALLEY SHALL BE EXALTED, EVERY HILL AND MOUNTAIN SHALL BE MADE LOW, THE ROUGH PLACES WILL BE MADE PLAIN, AND THE CROOKED PLACES WILL BE MADE STRAIGHT.

AND THE GLORY OF THE LORD SHALL BE REVEALED, AND ALL FLESH SHALL SEE IT TOGETHER.

THIS IS OUR HOPE.

THIS IS THE FAITH THAT I GO BACK TO THE SOUTH WITH.

WITH THIS FAITH, WE WILL BE ABLE TO HEW OUT OF THE MOUNTAIN OF DESPAIR A STONE OF HOPE.

WITH THIS FAITH WE WILL BE ABLE TO TRANSFORM THE JANGLING DISCORDS OF OUR NATION INTO A BEAUTIFUL SYMPHONY OF BROTHERHOOD.

WITH THIS FAITH WE WILL BE ABLE TO WORK TOGETHER, TO PRAY TOGETHER, TO STRUGGLE TOGETHER, TO GO TO JAIL TOGETHER, TO STAND UP FOR FREEDOM TOGETHER, KNOWING THAT WE WILL BE FREE ONE DAY.

THIS WILL BE THE DAY WHEN ALL OF GOD'S CHILDREN WILL BE ABLE TO SING WITH NEW MEANING: MY COUNTRY, 'TIS OF THEE, SWEET LAND OF LIBERTY, OF THEE I SING.

LAND WHERE MY FATHERS DIED, LAND OF THE PILGRIMS' PRIDE, FROM EVERY MOUNTAINSIDE, LET FREEDOM RING.

AND IF AMERICA IS TO BE A GREAT NATION, THIS MUST BECOME TRUE.

AND SO LET FREEDOM RING FROM THE PRODIGIOUS HILLTOPS OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.

LET FREEDOM RING FROM THE MIGHTY MOUNTAINS OF NEW YORK.

LET FREEDOM RING FROM THE HEIGHTENING ALLEGHENIES OF PENNSYLVANIA.

LET FREEDOM RING FROM THE SNOWCAPPED ROCKIES OF COLORADO.

LET FREEDOM RING FROM THE CURVACEOUS SLOPES OF CALIFORNIA.

BUT NOT ONLY THAT, LET FREEDOM RING FROM STONE MOUNTAIN OF GEORGIA.

LET FREEDOM RING FROM LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN OF TENNESSEE.

LET FREEDOM RING FROM EVERY HILL AND MOLEHILL OF MISSISSIPPI.

FROM EVERY MOUNTAINSIDE, LET FREEDOM RING.

AND WHEN THIS HAPPENS, AND WHEN WE ALLOW FREEDOM TO RING, WHEN WE LET IT RING FROM EVERY VILLAGE AND EVERY HAMLET, FROM EVERY STATE AND EVERY CITY, WE WILL BE ABLE TO SPEED UP THAT DAY WHEN ALL OF GOD'S CHILDREN, BLACK MEN AND WHITE MEN, JEWS AND GENTILES, PROTESTANTS AND CATHOLICS, WILL BE ABLE TO JOIN HANDS AND SING IN THE WORDS OF THE OLD NEGRO SPIRITUAL: FREE AT LAST.

FREE AT LAST.

THNK GOD ALMIGHTY, WE ARE FREE AT LAST.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] >> GREAT JOB!

>> YEAH!

>> GREAT JOB!

PROUD OF YOU, GIRL!

[APPLASE] >> I JUST WANT TO LET YOU ALL KNOW THAT WE HAVE HAD A KNOW THAT WE HAVE HAD A WONDERFUL TIME.

DO YOU ALL AGREE?

THIS HAS BEEN A GREAT CELEBRATION.

[APPLAUSE] >> OF DR. KING.

AND WE HAD A GREAT WORD FROM OUR PASTOR TODAY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR WORDS.

[APPLAUSE] >> AND WE JUST WANT TO ASK THE CHICAGO MASS CHOIR TO TAKE US OUT.

[APPLAUSE] ♪ ♪ HE THAT BELIEVETH ♪ HE THAT BELIEVETH ♪ SHALL HAVE AN EVERLASTING LIFE ♪ ♪ HE THAT BELIEVETH ♪ HE THAT BELIEVETH ♪ SHALL HAVE AN EVERLASTING LIFE ♪ ♪ SHALL HAVE AN EVERLASTING LIFE ♪ ♪ HE THAT BELIEVETH ♪ HE THAT BELIEVETH ♪ SHALL HAVE AN EVERLASTING LIFE ♪ ♪ HE THAT BELIEVETH ♪ HE THAT BELIEVETH ♪ HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE FATHR AND THE SON ♪ ♪ SHALL HAVE AN EVERLASTING LIFE ♪ ♪ I'VE GOT IT, EVERLASTING LIFE ♪ I'VE GOT IT, EVERLASTING LIFE ♪ I'VE GOT IT, EVERLASTING LIFE ♪ I'VE GOT IT, EVERLASTING LIFE ♪ I'VE GOT IT, EVERLASTING LIFE ♪ HE THAT BELIEVETH ♪ HE THAT BELIEVETH ♪ SHALL HAVE AN EVERLASTING LIFE ♪ ♪ HE THAT BELIEVETH ♪ HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE FATHR AND THE SON ♪ ♪ SHALL HAVE AN EVERLASTING LIFE ♪ ♪ I GOT IT ♪ I TELL YOU, I'VE GOT IT, YEAH ♪ ♪ I GOT IT, YEAH ♪ EVERLASTING LIFE ♪ I GOT IT, YEAH ♪ I GOT IT, YEAH ♪ I GOT IT.

♪ I GOT IT, YEAH ♪ I GOT IT ♪ IF YOU KNOW YOU GOTT PUT THOSE HANDS TOGETHER.

>> I GOT IT.

>.

♪ YES, I GOT IT ♪ ♪ YES, I GOT IT ♪ I GOTT I GOT IT ♪ I GOT IT ♪ I GOT IT, I GOT IT ♪ HE THAT BELIEVETH SHALL HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE ♪ ♪ EVERLASTING LIFE ♪ EVERLASTING LIFE ♪ HE THAT BELIEVETH ♪ EVERLASTING LIFE ♪ EVERLASTING LIFE ♪ EVERLASTING LIFE ♪ I'M GONNA WALK THE STREETS OF GOLD ♪ ♪ EVERLASTING LIFE ♪ EVERLASTING LIFE ♪ YOU GOT TO SING AND SHOUT ♪ PRAY INDEED ♪ I PRAY INDEED ♪ THANK GOD ALL MIGHTY ♪ I'M FREE INDEED ♪ EVERLASTING LIFE ♪ EVERLASTING LIFE ♪ EVERLASTING LIFE ♪ FREEDOM HE THAT BELIEVETH SHALL HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE ♪ ♪ HE THAT BELIEVETH ♪ FROM THE FATHER AND THE SON ♪ SHALL HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]