Bishop calls for ‘uncommon courage’ on MLK Day to honor King and create lasting change

Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, a preacher in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, said it takes “uncommon courage” to create change, particularly the type of change that will last.

McKenzie, the first woman to be named bishop in the AME church, spoke with a sense of urgency while delivering the keynote address during the Triangle Martin Luther King Jr. Committee’s virtual interfaith breakfast Monday morning.

“Bishop, what kind of courage do we need?” she said. “We need to pivot to an uncommon courage. That’s how we shift our priorities. It’s this kind of courage that causes us to speak when everyone is silent, act when others are in shock, move forward when a retreat has been announced. It is this kind of courage that reaches beyond the self to impact the lives of others for generations to come. We need more people with uncommon courage.”

The interfaith breakfast kicked off a day of events throughout the region and country to honor the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. The federal holiday is set aside to commemorate his mission and legacy and is recognized as an official day of service.

The interfaith event included prayers from local Catholic, Muslim, Jewish and Christian leaders, as well as a performance from Grammy-nominated local jazz artist Nnenna Freelon. Durham Mayor Elaine M. O’Neal and Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin offered words of encouragement, too.

McKenzie, a social justice advocate and author, repeated several themes throughout her speech, namely that people need to find courage on a daily basis, and that begins now.

“Every day we have to remind ourselves we must return to the unfinished business of previous generations and make it our business to finish,” McKenzie said.

The Committee’s prayer breakfast followed a wreath laying ceremony at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Gardens in Raleigh on Friday, and it began a day of activities — including a noon observance and Evening Musical (both virtual) — in remembrance of King.

Many local MLK Day events, like Keep Durham Beautiful’s litter cleanup and the Triangle MLK Committee’s annual Martin Luther King Memorial March, were canceled or rescheduled due to dangerous winter weather.

Raleigh’s King Day: A Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday at John Chavis Memorial Park was still scheduled from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, but outdoor components of the celebration, including the scavenger hunt, were canceled, said Raleigh’s Grady Bussey.

A Day of Service

Book Harvest, a nonprofit in Durham, has worked since its founding in 2011 to make sure all children grow up in a home filled with books. The group’s biggest event of the year, “Dream Big,” takes place annually on MLK Day. This year, it is 1 to 4 p.m. at Durham Central Park, 501 Foster St.

“Books build brains, and they bring joy,” said Ann Leininger, a board member. “We focus on making sure children get books as soon as possible, and we work closely with children ages 0 to 5 and their parents to teach literacy tools and how to interact well with books.”

The organization uses places like Laundromats and barber shops to get books out to those in need, and Book Harvest gave books to 13 Durham Public Schools ahead of winter break, Leininger said.

Dream Big takes place on MLK Day because of the sheer number of people who want to volunteer in their community, Leininger said. MLK Day usually allows over 700 volunteers to assist the organization, and many families enjoy the festival activities during the event.

Last year’s event was a drive-thru experience, and this year’s event has been scaled back to allow for about 100 volunteers. The snow and ice melted to make for a weather-safe day, but Leininger said there are other ways to engage with Book Harvest for those unable to make Dream Big.

Book Harvest’s website at bookharvest.org includes information on how to find books and volunteer opportunities.

Service, volunteer opportunities around Durham, Raleigh

Check out The News & Observer’s list of events and volunteer opportunities here.