Mission Possible: Prayer Breakfast promotes legacy and teachings of MLK

Silvya Kirk, Mid-Del School Board member, congratulates Joyce Henderson (Right) on receiving the Clara Luper Award Saturday during the Midwest City Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast. Photo by Jeff Harrison

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy was alive last weekend.

The 28th annual Midwest Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast took place Saturday at the Reed Conference Center at the Delta Hotel.

This year’s theme was Mission Possible: Protecting Freedom, Justice, and Democracy in the Spirit of Nonviolence.

The event reflects Dr. King’s life and work and how that legacy is continuing today in Oklahoma.

Anthony Douglas, chair of the Midwest City MLK Prayer Breakfast Committee, said it’s important to not only remember Dr. King’s words, but to put them into action every day.

“The way our society is going it’s like his words have become invisible to all of us,” he said.

The event was originally planned for MLK Day on Jan. 20, but it was postponed due to weather.

Midwest City Mayor Matt Dukes said he is proud to represent a community that embraces the legacy of Dr. King and what taught us.

“What I’ve learned in 10 years of being Mayor of Midwest City, everything is possible as long as you look forward,” he said. “We need to look backward to remember our mistakes, but we need to focus on the vision and looking forward and what we can do better. And we can’t do any better than this.”

Jason Bannister was the keynote speaker. The Del City native owns 6th Avenue Honda in Stillwater and started the Mary Banister Foundation.

Banister shared his experiences growing up in a mixed-race family, and how it has shaped him as a father, and the importance of listening to elders. He praised the work done by past generations during the Civil Rights Movement, but said he fears that legacy is being lost.

“I think we have forgotten. And that’s my parents’ generation and my generation. And it’s our fault and we have to do better,” he said.

He challenged people to become engaged and involved in local issues.

“Right now, in Oklahoma, you have some silliness going on and we have to do better,” he said. “When you look at fruit there are good trees and bad trees. Sometimes they look similar. Sometimes they both taste sweet. But one is going to give you bubba guts, and one is going to make you healthy. Right now, we have some unhealthy fruit out there that people are eating from.”

Jacquelyn Brown and Makisi Tulikihakau, seniors from Carl Albert High School, received the Thomas Michael Jahn Scholarships.

Joyce Henderson was presented with the Clara Luper Award. Henderson was involved in the Civil Rights movement in Oklahoma City in the 1960s as a student of Luper’s at Dunjee High School. She became a teacher and principal in the Oklahoma City School District and served on various boards and committees.

Silvya Kirk, a member of the Mid-Del School Board and former educator and principal, introduced her friend for the honor.

“She (Henderson) epitomizes that dream, she epitomizes the legacy, she’s an amalgamation of whit, talent, leadership and everything she does is first,” Kirk said. “… She keeps going because she has that passion.”

Henderson said receiving the award in Luper’s name is priceless.

“I’ve received awards, but when you can receive the Clara Luper Award, it’s an honor,” she said.

She said Clara Luper was her teacher, mentor, critic, counselor among others.

“I owe her a piece of me because she helped to mold me and shape me,” Henderson said.

JROTC students from Mid-Del Schools presented the colors.

The Mid-Del Honor Jazz Band performed throughout the event, including the Black National Anthem – “Life Every Voice and Sing.”

Kevin Hill, a former principal at Epperly Heights Elementary School, provided the benediction.