Englewood Community Celebrates Kings Life

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Doris J. Jones (left), New Communities program director at Teamwork Englewood was honored with the 2012 King Humanitarian Service Award. (Photo by Thelma Sardin)
Doris J. Jones (left), New Communities program director at Teamwork Englewood was honored with the 2012 King Humanitarian Service Award. (Photo by Thelma Sardin)

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Edric L. Calahan, vice president of marketing at Calahan Funeral Home served as keynote speaker.(Photo by Thelma Sardin)

The life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was celebrated at St. Bernard Hospital Friday afternoon. The hospital located in Chicagos Englewood community annually hosts the event.

Students of St. Benedict The African School Choir opened the celebration with several inspirational songs.

Doris J. Jones, New Communities program director at Teamwork Englewood was honored with the 2012 King Humanitarian Service Award.

Jones has spent more than 30 years as a community organizer. Her leadership skills and knowledge of community related issues enabled her to represent Chicago as a government delegate to the United Nations in 1995 in Istanbul, Turkey.

Thanking community members, Jones said if it were not for them, she would not be worthy of the award.

Audience members listened attentively as Jones discussed segregation she faced during her formative years and how the world is a better place because of King.

Things are now somewhat different because of the strides of Dr. Martin Luther King. Because of you and I he made the pathway for us and were grateful for that, Jones said.

Edric L. Calahan, vice president of marketing at Callahan Funeral Home served as the events keynote speaker.

Calahan delivered a stirring message about Dr. Kings legacy and why it is important to keep the Civil Rights pioneers dream.

As we deal with these obstacles now we have to remind each other why we originally started to dream. So you may have to open the door and go to your childs room and look at your son or daughter while theyre sleep and say This why I get up every morning, work hard and sacrifice. Calahan said.

Jones later responded to Calahans speech.

Mr. Calahan we do want to keep the dream alive, but more than that we want to make the dream a reality, she said.

by Thelma SardinTwitter: @thelmasardin

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