Church hosts celebration honoring Martin Luther King Jr.

Tuscaloosans gathered Monday evening at First African Baptist Church, celebrating the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with music, discussion and more.

Those who were there for the celebration included people from all walks of life: Black, white, young, old, all honoring the civil rights-era icon whose life was cut short.

“He’s a champion because he made Black and white people drink from the same water fountains, go to the same schools and use the same bathrooms,” said Rev. Brandon McCollum.

Attendee Shamikka Dudley said she was enthralled by what McCollum said about King during the event.

“(McCollum) was able to show my son, who was sitting in the audience with me, the importance of Dr. King and the legacy that he left behind,” she said.

Events like these offer a path of learning for those who aren’t as well-versed in history as others, she said.

“I think it’s a day of unity for everyone to have the opportunity to reboot and reset our reasons and our purposes,” Dudley said.

The rally was the final event of the week’s Realizing the Dream series, sponsored by the Tuscaloosa chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference along with Shelton State Community College, Stillman College and the University of Alabama.

SCLC and NAACP member Judy Taylor said honoring King’s birthday is an important yearly event.

“He epitomizes what we believe as Christians,” Taylor said. “He put it into action and believed that love is the most powerful thing we can express. He also believed that love is the only thing that can overcome hate, and hate is a burden we cannot carry,” Taylor said.