Events in North Carolina honor life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- More than 50 years after his "I have a dream speech," North Carolinians remembered the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Monday.
Many events around the Triangle honored the late civil rights leader.
The 35th annual interfaith prayer breakfast at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel in Durham was followed by a day of service.
"It's important that we pause today to reflect on the lessons imparted and re-examine our own roles in our quest for social justice," said Roy Watson, Senior Director at Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. "Dr. King was a master communicator. But in the end, all of his eloquent words were routed in one simple idea. We must serve one another."
"Let's celebrate today but tomorrow, let's appropriate and join some mentoring programs. Let's celebrate today but tomorrow, let's register to vote and bring somebody with you. Let's celebrate today but tomorrow, join some organization that fulfills America's prescription of one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all," added Rev. Mark-Anthony Middleton of the Abundant Hope Christian Church.
In Cumberland County, there was another prayer breakfast at the Crown Expo Center.
Several organizations were lending a hand in the community. The United Way's 10th annual Day of Service featured more than 2,200 volunteers among 30 projects located throughout the Triangle to make the MLK holiday "a day on, not a day off."
The Wake and Durham County events focused on basic needs. Volunteers from Duke and Durham Tech created soup mixes and other pantry items to be donated to local agencies working to fight hunger. Additional projects focusing on clothing and literacy are also featured.
ABC11 joined Book Harvest to collect books for the "Dream Big Book Drive" at the Carolina Theatre in Durham. Go to www.bookharvestnc.org for more details.
In Orange and Johnston counties, events also focused on improving children's reading skills.
Monday evening, ABC11's John Clark emceed the final event -- the 35th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Evening Musical. It was held at the Meymandi Hall of the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts in Raleigh.
