A Parade of youth at the Program for the Celebration of Dr. King

The crowd was buzzing after the program ended for the celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King’s Birthday at the Winston County Courthouse on Saturday, January 17, 2026. The buzz was about how well the youth did who were on the itinerary. That rarely happens that they are up front throughout the program. Maybe it had something to do with the 2026 Theme: Mission Possible 2 Building Community, Uniting a Nation the Nonviolent Way.” The Winston County NAACPBranch introduced some of the destined youth leaders who will make the mission possible. The crowd was buzzing after the speech by State Representative Kabir Karriem. It was a great celebration.

The Master of Ceremonies was Cameron Hathorn. He elegantly moved the program on. The young Reverend Dashad Hornesburger prayed like an elderly pastor.  Young Zavery Grace Jackson sang the Negro National Anthem “Lift Every Voice and Sing” with an angelic voice. Eight Year old J’Syan Hardy spoke on why we celebrate. Mostly he said, “I can only imagine” referring to our history before the civil rights movement with Dr. King, the bus boycott and Jim Crow.  Young Patrick Macon, Jr. introduced the speaker, Ms. State Representative of District 41, Kabir Karriem very professionally. The youth choir of Faith Beyond Wall Christian Center, Dr. Willie Goss, Jr. Pastor, mostly youth, sang “There is nobody like Jesus” beautifully. The audience gave a standing ovation for each of the segments of the program by youth.

There were youth in the choir with the Prince VoicesChoir with Rosa Prince as the director. They sang a very touching song “Glory” with the President of the Winston County Branch NAACP Dean Miller and young Rev. Reggie Roberson of Holy Ghost Temple assoloists. The song brought tears to the eyes of many because it was a song of hope and gratitude that really reminded them of Dr. King and his speeches.

State Representative Karriem delivered a message of action and hope. He informed the audience that they had some good representation at the state level including Senator Rod Hickman and Representative Carl Mickens. He encouraged voters to call the state senators and encourage them to vote against Mississippi’s Bill 2 (HB2), known as the Education Freedom Act. He stated, “Dr, King’s birthday is not a holiday of convenience it is a call of conscious. It is not symbolic it is substance. It demands something of us beyond attendance.  Today is a moment of faith, unityand moral clarity. Progress left unguarded can be reversed. Dr. King said I have decided to stick with love for hate is too much of a burden to bear. Love is not passive. Love confronted injustice. Nonviolent was not a weakness, it was organized courage. It took courage to face dogs and fire hoses with dignity. It took courage to challenge injustice laws in the courts and in the streets. And it takes courage today to stand against systems that look different but functions the same.”