Game Changers: The Conscious Culture Men With Vision 2020 Edition | Page 37

GAME CHANGERS MAGAZINE | 37
Henry County Celebrates
Martin Luther King Jr.
Written by Stephanie Bradley,
NAACP Economic Development Chair
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. BUILT HIS LIFE
ON A FOUNDATION OF FAMILY AND
FAITH, AND AT HIS DEATH HE LEFT A
LEGACY FROM WHICH WE ALL BENEFIT.
King day celebrations in Henry County started early on
Saturday Morning at the Prayer Breakfast and concluded
on Monday with a parade & concert, where thousands 
joined to honor the trailblazer. In Henry County, hundreds
came out to Shiloh Baptist Church for the NAACP Annual
Prayer Breakfast in celebration of Dr. King.  Several
community &state leaders, politicians and judges
attended the breakfast. During the celebration the NAACP
honored Global Impact Christian Ministries, Pastor
Spencer Oneal as the “Church of the Year” and Henry
County District Attorney, Darius Patillio with the “Justice
Award”.  The speaker for the occasion was the
fearless Pastor Clinton McFarland from Grace Baptist
Church.
“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.”
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR., “I HAVE A DREAM” (1963)
His message was very powerful.  Although It was a
cold day for an outdoor event, people were lined
up along the route, bundled up and bracing the
cold with smiling faces. This parade put on by the
Henry County NAACP chapter is a county tradition
and an event that folks looked forward to. For the
first time in this parade's history
thousands came out to be a part of the
celebration of Martin Luther King’s life and legacy,
thanks to Georgia NAACP Youth Council 2nd Vice
president, Jayden Williams. The event concluded
with an outstanding concert highlighting young
talent throughout the county and state.
“THE ULTIMATE TEST OF A MAN IS NOT WHERE HE STANDS IN MOMENTS OF
COMFORT AND MOMENTS OF CONVENIENCE, BUT WHERE HE STANDS IN MOMENTS
OF CHALLENGE AND MOMENTS OF CONTROVERSY.”
-MARTIN LUTHER KING JR., SPEECH (ATLANTA, JANUARY 27, 1965)