Triangle and Capitol Broadcasting Honor King Legacy with Interfaith Breakfast

“Envision a world in which we are all seen as equals, no exceptions.”
– The Rev. Nancy Huslage, Triangle Interfaith Alliance President – Prayer for Peace & Equality

The Incomparable Wray Sisters offer up a musical tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King at the annual breakfast.

View Slideshow

Capitol Broadcasting proudly sponsored the Annual Martin Luther King Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast for the 26th year on Monday, January 21, 2013.   The 33rd annual breakfast filled the Sheraton Imperial in RTP to overflowing, as over 50,000 citizens watched from home as well.  For the second year WRAL-TV aired the bulk of the program from 8:00-9:00am.

The Rev. Dr. Dumas Harshaw opened the event as presiding officer, dedicating the morning to non-violence in memory of the 20 children and 6 teachers killed in Newton, Connecticut.  He also echoed the theme of the two-day MLK celebration: “We Have Come This Far by Faith Now What We Need is Redemption and Achievement.”

“This is a time to reflect on how we’re serving one another,” said Progress Enegery Corporate & Community Relations Director Marty Clayton.  “Take this time to consider how we are serving Dr. King’s legacy.

High school senior Oshe Pittman is congratulated on his recitation of King’s “I Have a Dream” speech & Obama’s “Yes We Can” speech.

Prayers and greetings were offered from a bevy of local elected officials and members of the clergy.

 “Let us pursue peace, O God,” offered Rabbi Lucy Dinner of the Temple Beth Or Synagogue in Raleigh.  “May be never be content until the blessing of peace reigns.”

Bruce Lightner, Founder and Chairman of the Raleigh MLK Celebration Committee, retired at this year’s event, wrapping up over three decades of growing the annual event into two days of service, music, marches, and more. 

CBC President & CEO Jim Goodmon spoke words of high praise for Lightner.

“No matter how out there what he wants to do is, I know he wants to do it for the right reason,” Goodmon said of the many ideas and projects Lightner has brought to him over the years.  “Tenacious.  Do it or die.  Bruce will do it and will get it done.”

Goodmon concluded, welcoming Lightner to the stage, by saying, “Bruce, I want to tell you how proud of you I am.”

“We have much to be thankful for in the Triangle,” said Lightner, citing that many other cities have held MLK events that faded.  “We are fortunate to be steadfast & consistent for the past 33 years.”

Bruce Lightner retires from the Raleigh MLK Celebration Committee with much thanks.

Triangle residents enjoy celebrating the legacy of Dr. King at the annual breakfast.

WRAL-TV Anchor Gerald Owens opened the television portion of the event by reflecting on his own connection to Dr. King.  Owens remembered his mother kneeling in front of their television set, crying, as she heard the news of King’s death.  He said King’s major question was “What are you doing for others?”

Then James Kenan High School senior Oshe Pittman of Warsaw, NC, recited a conglomeration of King’s “I Have a Dream” speech and President Barack Obama’s “Yes We Can” speech.  The young man received a rousing ovation as he wrapped with King’s famous lines, “Free at last.  Free at last.  Thank God Almighty, I’m free at last!”

New N.C. Governor Pat McCrory addressed the crowd speaking of the importance of education and technology. 

“People across this state are hurting right now,” he said.  “yet we have to believe as a state we can reach our potential.”

He said that potential can be reached by working together. 

McCrory said King “was at the grassroots level, right at the people.  Talking to the people, not at the people.” 

CBC is proud to sponsor the Martin Luther King Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast for the 26th year.

WRAL-TV Engineer Tony Gupton helps make sure the live broadcast of the breakfast gets to WRAL viewers.

Keynote speaker Dr. Ronald C. Smith, President of the Southern Union Conference of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, wrapped up the program, ignited the crowd.

“There is no straddling the fence when it comes to doing the right thing,” said Smith.