BY MELISSA PYLE
Telegraph Staff Writer
The Concerned Citizens of Bradford County hosted the seventh annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drum Major Service Award Banquet on Jan. 13 at the Charley E. John’s Conference Center. The event honored the life and legacy of Dr. King and those who embody his vision of love and change.
Event organizer and president of CCBC, Alica McMillian, along with countless volunteers, welcomed community leaders, sponsors, and honored guests to the banquet, which was beautifully decorated by the talented Louise H. Johnson and generous CCBC members. The banquet was filled with the aroma of sweet fellowship and delicious food, catered by Delicious Country Cooking, Downtown Grill and CCBC members.
The evening was emceed by Pastor Patrick Maxwell of Victory Christian Worship Center of Lake Butler, and guests were led in inspirational song by Minister Bruce Griner. Local leaders, Mayor Scott Roberts and Sheriff Gordon Smith were also in attendance and made remarks of thanks and admiration for the leaders and volunteers who work with the CCBC to make Starke and the surrounding communities a better place to live.
Sponsors were thanked for their continued financial support with awards provided by Sporting Chance. The awards ceremony thanked everyone for their support, but gave special recognition to sponsors from the three top tiers of donations. Platinum sponsors were Bradford County Commissioners, City of Starke and GFL Environmental. Gold sponsors were Florida Power & Light and Woodard & Curran. Silver sponsors were Bowen & Bug Blocker Service, Folds Walker Attorneys at Law, Hampton Law, and L&M Mobile Homes.
The evening was highlighted by an engaging speech given by keynote speaker Rahman K. Johnson. Johnson has a long list of accomplishments and accolades which includes multiple degrees, working in radio and television, serving on the Jacksonville Civil Rights Task Force, recipient of multiple awards for journalism and drama. His newest includes being elected to the Jacksonville City Council, representing district 14. Johnson is a Jacksonville native but takes pride in also having roots in Bradford County. Johnson captivated the crowd with his eloquence and dramatic presentation. Johnson recalled fond memories of spending time in Starke with his Uncle Fred, who, although only held an eighth-grade education from RJE, was one of the wisest men he had ever known.
Johnson went on to present he vision and dream of Dr. King, but he challenged the audience by saying, “We have to put the work behind it today so that the legacy of yesterday is manifested tomorrow.”
In describing diversity Johnson said, “Diversity is something our country was founded upon. It makes us stronger, it makes us better.” Johnson emphasized that the vision of Dr. King was not only about color but about economics. He said, “At the end of the day, what happens to the least of these happens to all of us.”
He went on to talk about the hope that pushes us to do more and how individuals need to take personal accountability to make changes that can change our world. He emphasized the theme of love and said we need to do everything through a lens of love because love is what will change us all. Johnson made a poignant statement when he said he recently told a group of diversity and equity coordinators, “It’s our job to work ourselves out of a job. … If we do everything through the lens of love, it will allow the right decision to be made.”
He ended by urging his listeners to reach out to those who are different from themselves. Those who don’t worship the same or come from the same walks of life. He encouraged hearers to open up opportunities in their personal lives to know and love others. This is the legacy of Dr. King, “Create actions that will create change.”
Following the rousing speech, the 2024 honorees received awards and recognition. This year’s honorees were Sylvia Patterson, Mildred Petteway, Benjamin Strong, Ruth Holland and Ernestine Whitley Thompkins. Each honoree has multiple accomplishments and hours of personal and corporate volunteer efforts. They are RJE alumni, active in the Bradford community, and serve their churches, families, friends and neighbors on a consistent basis.
The event concluded with final thoughts and thanks from McMillian.
“We see what God can do. … We have got to live it, not just talk it,” she said. She challenged everyone to do what they are gifted to do to the best of their ability, and the community will not be the same.
She said something that embodies her mission at CCBC when she quoted what her father always said: “Never look down on a person unless you are reaching down to lift them up.” This simple, yet profound statement is the mission of the members of the CCBC and the living legacy of Dr. King. It lives out one of his many quotes: “Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.”
If you are interested in more information or volunteering opportunities with the CCBC, reach out to them for more information at [email protected].
