Historical February–March 2002 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
The Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration celebration was observed Sunday, January 20, 2002 at the New Cote Brilliante Church of God. Pastor Miki Merritt, co-chairman of this year’s planning committee and representative of the congregation on the Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council, welcomed guests into the church sanctuary along with his assistant, Dana Banks and others from the church. Committee co-chairman John Thomas was busy marshalling the youth group from Grace United Methodist Church, while Regina Morris, music instructor at St. Roch, gathered the fourth grade girls who were participating in the program. Sandy Kalin from Bethel School kept the youngest program participants in a tidy group and did her best to channel their nervous excitement.
This year’s program opened with remarks by 28th ward Alderman Lyda Krewson and 26th ward Alderman Irv Clay. Both speakers reflected on the legacy Dr. King has left for our city, and the challenges we continue to face as we work together to bridge the racial divide. Reverend Mary Harvey, Grace United Methodist pastor, neatly connected each portion of the program while serving as the master of ceremonies.
The New Cote Brilliante Church of God Choir, under the musical direction of Dr. Carol Merritt, provided the musical connection and inspiration that program attendees anticipate eagerly each year.
As more than one child noted, you can FEEL the energy when they sing.” The Keynote Speaker was June Fowler, a Parkview resident who grew up in Washington Heights.
She has been a community activist and has been the director of community development for St. Louis County.
In her speech, she called neighbors to action.
She emphasized the importance of community volunteers in resolving our city’s biggest challenges along with the need for a shared vision of what we want our community to be. Despite the competition with the Rams playoff game, over two hundred neighbors and friends turned out for the program. And only a few were seen to slip away downstairs to the church hall, where a small television set kept all informed as to the game’s progress.
She received a standing ovation for her presentation. Greg Freeman, long-time member of the committee and chairman for the last two years, was presented an ‘award for his outstanding leadership and commitment to the neighborhood. Due to his illness, he was unable to attend, and Elizabeth Freeman, his wife, accepted the award on his behalf.
Original photograph caption
Annual King commemoration January 20, 2002, New Cote Brilliante Church of God. Photo by King Schoenfeld.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, February–March 2002.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2002_02.pdf, printed page(s) 1, 6; PDF page(s) 1, 6.
