Reflections on Our First MLK Breakfast

THE ALPHA FOUNDATION of HOWARD COUNTY, INC.
w ww.a l p h af o u n d a t i o nh c .o r g
C. Vernon Gray
Chairman
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Memorial Breakfast (1976)
Reflections on our first
MLK Breakfast
he 昀椀rst Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Breakfast was held by
the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Kappa Phi Lambda Chapter,
on January 6, 1976. This occurred two years after the Maryland
Legislature of昀椀cially recognized Dr. King’s birthday as a holiday and six
years after what is believed to be the 昀椀rst-ever MLK Memorial Breakfast, which was held in Boston, Massachusetts. I highlight this point to
show how, soon after the inaugural event, our local chapter began to
memorialize this occasion in the state of Maryland. The federal holiday
honoring Dr. King’s birthday was not established until 1983.
T
You might wonder why the Kappa Phi Lambda Chapter decided to hold
the MLK Memorial Breakfast? Shortly after our charter on March 1,
1975, our 昀椀rst president, Brother Melvin Bilal, asked me to lead a program committee to coordinate chapter events and activities. The Program Committee had several goals, including fostering fellowship and
brotherhood, increasing our visibility in Howard County, and raising
funds needed to make an impact in the community. During an initial
meeting, I suggested organizing a fundraising breakfast to honor the life
of our brother, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
On a personal note, I had the honor of meeting Dr. King in 1962 while
I was in graduate school at Atlanta University. He visited Ware Hall to
meet and speak to the students. I still remember how nervous I was to
meet such an in昀氀uential 昀椀gure.
Later, I heard him speak at a Black church in Little Rock, Arkansas.
My wife, Sandra, and I also attended the March on Washington at the
National Mall on August 28, 1963. Words truly fail to describe the emotions we experienced that day as we were inspired and challenged by Dr.
King’s powerful words. He poignantly addressed the broken promises of
the Emancipation Proclamation and envisioned a better America — one
that would embrace all its people with dignity and strength. I have no
doubt that my exposure to Dr. King in昀氀uenced my suggestion to host a
fundraiser while simultaneously honoring his legacy.
Beyond raising funds and my personal admiration for Dr. King’s mission, the annual MLK breakfast serves as a community reminder of his
vision for a world where all of God’s people can live in peace, harmony,
justice, equality, and prosperity. As you enjoy this year’s celebration,
remember that we are all here for a reason. Like Dr. King, we must strive
to leave this world better than we found it.
www.apakpl.org • AΦA Fraternity, Inc. – Kappa Phi Lambda (ΚΦΛ) Chapter
50th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Breakfast Celebration • Sunday, January 12, 2025
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