The Carbondale chapter of the NAACP held the 38th annual King Scholarship breakfast on Monday, January 20th. Attendees gathered at Southern Illinois University for the breakfast, which placed an emphasis on participation in the 2020 Census.
Keynote speaker Anna Jackson, a retired teacher, spoke about Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy, and winners of the King essay contest were recognized. Jackson asked the audience to consider the man behind the public figure of King.
"What was his favorite movie?" Jackson asked. "Who knows what his favorite movie was?"
She went on to lament the fact that King did not have an opportunity to enjoy life, because he was so devoted to the cause of civil rights. King's favorite movie, Jackson said, was Star Trek. Jackson concluded by reminding the audience that to survive, people must come together.
The winners of the King essay contest were recognized, and the Carbondale Middle School jazz band performed. Speakers also encouraged participation in the 2020 Census, warning that undercounting the area's population could lead to a reduction in federal funding. Speakers also promoted upcoming events for Black History Month.