The Shadow
Helping Other People Excel, Inc., Covington; Come As You Are Ministries, Clifton Forge; and the McClinton Foundation, Wrightsville; sponsored the 15th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Walk of Legacy Sunday with Dr. Brenda Hale, president of the Roanoke Chapter of the NAACP, as keynote speaker.
The program began at 3 p.m. with the annual march beginning at the former Jeter-Watson school on Pine Street in Covington and proceeding down to the Gospel Tabernacle Church of God in Christ on Alleghany Avenue.
Mistress of Ceremonies Lolita Smith provided opening remarks, the Rev. Douglas Hollenbeck, pastor, Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church in Covington, gave the opening prayer, and the congregation joined together in singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
Wanda Moore, HOPE, Inc., and Dr. Calvin McClinton, the McClinton Foundation, provided welcome remarks and provided the theme for this year’s event: Imagine, Believe, Achieve.
“Our minds are clear and free to imagine a future of peace and prosperity. We believe that in this very present all men and women are created equal and will achieve in their lives the ultimate goal of personal and universal harmony as prescribed by our constitution.”
Kim Lewis, who is spearheading the membership drive to re-establish the Clifton Forge and Covington chapters of the NAACP, introduced Dr. Hale.
“Imagine, Believe, Achieve: I could have gone a lot of places with that. I could have just chosen one but I’m going to try to touch on all three today,” began Hale.
She added that “the perilous times we are living in” are “call to action. “Vote 2020,” encouraged Hale.
Hale provided various images that have occurred in history that should compel people into action.
“We must change the course of action that’s happening, right now,” said Hale.
She also shared stories of meeting Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Jessie Jackson, and Harry Belafonte, some leaders of the Civil Rights movement, and provided some little known facts of Dr. King’s history.
“We must commit to understand others; we must commit to advocate for equality; we must commit to share our earthly home; we must commit to make a difference in the life of others; we must commit to foster peace, not hate…”, admonished Hale.
“To do these things we must be willing to work together,” said Hale in closing.
Local government officials, including Sheriff Kevin Hall, Alleghany County Sheriff’s Office; Police Chief Christopher Smith, city of Covington Police Department; Clifton Forge Town Manager Darlene Burcham; Clifton Forge Mayor Jeff Irvine and Vice Mayor Pamela Marshall, provided remarks.
This year’s Drum Major Award was presented to James “Jimmy” Wall, of Virginia Cares in Covington, for his service to the community.
“We’ve got to do better; we’ve got to honor people; we’ve got to go out and help people,” said Wall upon receiving the award.
“That’s what I do on a regular basis but sometimes you think you don’t do enough. All you need is a little bit. Just do a little bit and you’ll be OK,” said Wall in conclusion.
The program closed with reflection, benediction and prayer by Bishop Alfred “Mustard” Dearing, CAYA, before the congregation convened in the hospitality hall for a potluck dinner.
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James Wall of Covington was the recipient of the Drum Major Award during Sunday’s 15th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Walk of Legacy. From left are Dr. Calvin McClinton of the McClinton Foundation; HOPE’s Wanda Moore; Mr. Wall; Dr. Brenda Hale, president of the Roanoke Chapter of the NAACP and Sunday’s keynote speaker; and Bishop Alfred “Mustard” Dearing, CAYA Ministries. (P.E. Marshall Photo)
