The Interdenominational Ministers’ Fellowship hosted the Nashville community in celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This year’s theme for the march was ‘Investing in Our Children, Investing in Our Future.’
Hundreds of people assembled in front of Jefferson Street Missionary Baptist Church on Monday, Jan. 15, to march to TSU’s Gentry Complex for its annual Convocation honoring King. Before the march, TSU President Glenda Glover thanked the youth, in particular, for coming out on a chilly day.
“I want to particularly give a shout out to the youth,” said Glover, “because you could have been doing something else today.”
She then went on to emphasize the importance of the occasion.
“I lived in Memphis and I was there when the assassination (of Dr. King) took place,” Glover said. “We need to make sure we keep this dream alive each and every year, each and every day.”
Nashville Mayor Megan Barry also lauded the youth for their attendance, and reminded them of the jobs and internships that are available to them in the community.
“I want all the youth who are in this gathering today to hear that we’ve got over 10,000 opportunities on our portal, and I need you guys to go there to find something that you want to do,” Barry said.
“We all know that the way to get people moving toward their future, is they’ve got to graduate from high school, and they’ve got to get that first job. And we’re committed to making sure that our youth can do just that.”
Following the march, Hundreds of people gathered at Tennessee State University’s Gentry Center Complex for the annual MLK convocation.
Several city and state leaders spoke, including U.S. Congressman Jim Cooper, Nashville Mayor Megan Barry, State Representative Harold Love and Metro Schools Director Dr. Shawn Joseph. The Keynote address was made by Judge Sheila Calloway, who continued the ‘Investing in Our Children’ theme, leading the crowd in a cheer for the youth in attendance.
During her speech, Calloway said early engagement in the lives of youth can deter them from trouble.
“Don’t wait till they are in my courtroom before trying to help them,” she said. “By then, it is way too late. Help them before they get to that point.”
During the Convocation, the Interdenominational Ministers’ Fellowship renewed $1,000 scholarships for students at TSU, Fisk University, Meharry Medical College and American Baptist College.
