Historical February 1988 report or notice. Original dates, prices and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
With its soulful singers, exuberant dancers and charismatic speakers, Skinker-DeBaliviere’s commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr. stirred the hearts of the estimated 170 people in attendance.
The event, held January 9 at Grace and Peace Presbyterian Fellowship, was sponsored by the Skinker DeBaliviere Community with funding from the Regional Arts Commission.
The civic ceremony—the first of several such events conducted city wide in January— marked the 20th anniversary of Dr. King’s death and the 25th anniversary of his historic “I Have a Dream” speech. Tom Hoerr, headmaster of New City School and long time Skinker DeBaliviere resident, emceed the event with characteristic sincerity and humor. Betty Thompson, an ardent civil rights activist and outgoing president of the Martin Luther King Jr. St. Louis Support Group, gave the keynote address.
With a fervor and style reminiscent of the slain preacher, Thompson exhorted the audience to carry on Dr. King’s mission of working toward human dignity and solidarity through creative nonviolence. St. Louis Police Captain Charles L. Alphin Sr., commander of the department’s 6th District, also spoke at the commemoration. Alphin, who succeeded Thompson as president of the St. Louis Support Group, has been studying, applying and teaching Dr. King’s principles of social change for many years. Recognized nationally as an exemplary protege of the American hero, Alphin is the subject of a motion picture drama under production at NBC-TV. Ruby Russell and the Inspirational Singers had audience members alternately dabbing their cheeks and clapping their hands with such gospel classics as “The Old Rugged Cross” and “I Thank God I’m in His Care.” Crossroads students Tiffany Brown, Jessica Tirrell and Arlene Henderson presented youthful reflections on Dr. King’s legacy and their role in the ongoing struggle for equal rights and universal respect. Perhaps the most memorable portion of the 90-minute program was a stunning performance of ethnic dances by the Children’s Dance Troupe of the Katherine Dunham Museum Workshop.
These devoted and rigorously trained dancers, moving to a lively Caribbean beat pounded out by three young drummers, brought several standing ovations.
A number of St. Louis media gave the event advance publicity.
The ceremony received prominent coverage on KSDK-Channel 5 and in the Central West End Journal.
The event was organized by SDCC’s King Commemoration Committee under the chairmanship of Jim O’Neal. Committee members Shirley Polk, Neville Vatcha, Jack Wright, Eddie Sanders, Bob Mahon, and Jim McLeod volunteered many hours preparing for the commemoration and the reception which followed. SDCC Executive Director Nancy Farmer and Administrative Assistant Karen Largen went far beyond the call of duty in their work for this project.
The two provided much of the publicizing, organizational communication and labor needed to make the event a success. Grace and Peace Fellowship is due a special note of thanks for donating its wonderfully suited facilities and various necessary supplies.
Many residents and other attendants have expressed the hope that the commemoration will be made an annual event.
Original photograph caption
Captain Charles L. Alphin, Sr., St. Louis Police Sixth District Commander, gave the welcoming address. Photo by King Schoenfeld. The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, February 1988, page 4.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, February 1988.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1988_02.pdf, printed page(s) 4, 5; PDF page(s) 4, 5.
