Jared Guadagni - Staff Writer

S.C. Rep. Lonnie Hosey, center, was the speaker at the Blackville MLK Day event.

Jared Guadagni - Staff Writer

Attendees at the Blackville MLK Day event also enjoyed a full, sit-down dinner.

Jared Guadagni - Staff Writer

The E.I. Washington Inspirational Choir performed during the Blackville MLK Day event.

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It was a message of dreams that floated through the Blackville Community Center - dreams fulfilled; dreams coming to life; and dreams yet to be.

"You can dream and make it work for you," guest speaker S.C. Rep. Lonnie Hosey told the audience. "Each and every one of us has a gift and a talent."

More than 200 people packed into the center to hear an array of speakers punctuated with joyous singing in celebration of Martin Luther King's life and achievements Jan. 18.

The event was sponsored by the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Blackville.

Hosey stressed the importance of dreams and how dreams can transform our lives and the lives of others.

Drawing parallels between President Obama and King, Hosey asked the crowd to ruminate on "how the dream of one person affects the dream of another person."

But he also issued a warning on failing to recognize our own talents or coveting others gifts.

"It's amazing to me how we can waste minutes, hours, days and years," Hosey said.

Hosey said, "you are never too old" to discover gifts and dreams.

"Some of us are waiting for an undertaker," he jokingly said, suggesting to seniors to take free classes at state universities or get involved in civic organizations.

He told the story of a woman who spent 20 years in social work; 20 years teaching; and 20 years writing and publishing stories, "until her death at 94."

Blackville Mayor Jackie Holman told the crowd the "the life of Martin Luther King had not been in vain," because he wouldn't be standing here today if the civil rights leader hadn't paved the way.

To remember King's path toward equality, Eldred Moye Sr. gave a history of the start of the civil rights movement.

"Some of us were not around then and my peers are the sons and daughters of those who weren't around," he said.

Moye began with the 1955 death of Emmett Till in Mississippi to Rosa Parks famous refusal to the Freedom Riders traveling across the South and ended with King's Aug. 28, 1963 "I Have A Dream," speech - Moye reminded the younger in the crowd of King's and others sacrifices and accomplishments.

King's speech was one of "the greatest demonstrations for freedom in history," said Moye to applause and a standing ovation as he recited King's speech.

Later, Ethel Faust of Mt. Zion Baptist Church asked those in the crowd 70 years older or older to stand.

"We certainly appreciate what you have done and passed down to us," said Faust.

In a nod to the youth of today, The Rev. Anthony Corley and Chelsea Reed announced the winners of the Blackville-Hilda district essay contest, "What Can I Do As A Young Leader To Provide Justice And Equality?"

Honored from the high school were Amber Collins, first place; Victoria Parker, second place; Jalia Nelson, first place.

Honored from Macedonia Elementary School were Raykala Edward, first place; Jalalia Rivers, second place; Alyssa D. Ray, third place.

Closing the ceremony was the Rev. Freddie Wright.

Fresh from a conference on drugs and young people during the weekend at Myrtle Beach, Wright said some are still in chains because of substance abuse.

"It's time for us to stop lying to ourselves and say we don't know what is going on - we know what is going on," Wright said. "King fought so we could have an opportunity for a free life," he said.