“The real question of the day is what do you say, what are you doing?” – Reverend Mark-Anthony Middleton, Pastor of Abundant Hope Christian Church, Durham
Keynote speaker Rev. Mark-Anthony Middleton receives on ovation from the crowd at the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, at the Sheraton Imperial ballroom in RTP on Monday, January 18, 2016.
On Monday, January 18, 2016, Capitol Broadcasting Company proudly served as the presenting sponsor for the 36th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast.
The 2016 theme “The Fierce Urgency of Now” ruled the day as presenters spoke about the importance of acting and talking, rather than simply sitting back and listening to words.
“It’s not just about what Dr. King might say if he were here today, but about what we do,” said WRAL-TV Anchor David Crabtree as he opened the televised portion of the program.
“I mean after all, isn’t to be silent to give consent?” said Dache’ Chanell Hardison, a senior at Franklin Academy High School in Raleigh. “In the words of Dr. King, it would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This is a defining moment and we have the power to determine the outcome, to protect our generation from injustice.”
The youth who won the annual MLK essay contest impressed the crowd with her words near the beginning of the program.
Dache’ Chanell Hardison, a senior at Franklin Academy High School in Durham, reads her winning essay at the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, at the Sheraton Imperial ballroom in RTP on Monday, January 18, 2016.
“Where would we be if Dr. King only protested and helped form rallies after he saw a trending hashtag?” said Hardison. “It is extremely crucial that we stand up before it is too late and acknowledge the fierce urgency of now. Don’t let someone you love become the next trending topic.”
Over 2,000 people filled the Sheraton Imperial Hotel ballroom and overflow seating in RTP for the event. After a warm breakfast, attendees heard prayers offered by a variety of local clergy, welcome messages from area political leaders and a keynote address from Reverend Mark-Anthony Middleton of Durham. Middleton serves as the pastor of Abundant Hope Christian Church in Durham.
Rev. Mark-Anthony Middleton took the podium for the keynote in the second half of the live broadcast.
“We are enamored by the ‘I Have a Dream’ part of the speech, but before that he had an ought with America,” said Middleton of Dr. King. “Oftentimes I fear that we have removed the fight from because we have distilled him…and sequestered him to the top of a mountain. We have taken the fight out of Dr. King.”
Middleton went on to say, “Dr. King practiced a transformative type of patriotism. Dr. King practiced a transformative type of patriotism and I’m very suspicious of a patriotism that does not allow questions.”
WRAL-TV’s Raymond Farrar helps manage the live broadcast of the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, on Monday, January 18, 2016.
He challenged to crowd to look beyond the dream and works to action.
“There are still battles to be fought in our revolution…The real question of the day is what do you say, what are you doing?” said Middleton.
CBC has served as presenting sponsor of the Triangle MLK Interfaith Prayer Breakfast for the past 28 years. Corp & WRAL-TV Community Relations Director Loretta Harper-Arnold currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Triangle Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee.
The entire event was live-streamed on WRAL.com and the 8am hour of the program live broadcast on WRAL-TV.
Capitol Broadcasting Company proudly serves as the presenting sponsor for the 36th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast on Monday, January 18, 2016.
Capitol Broadcasting Company proudly serves as the presenting sponsor for the 36th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast on Monday, January 18, 2016.
Youth from the YMCA Young Achievers Program volunteer at the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, on Monday, January 18, 2016.
WRAL-TV’s Tony Gupton enjoys one of the perks of working to broadcast the the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC: a warm breakfast.
Attendees make their way through the buffet at the Sheraton Imperial ballroom in RTP at the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, on Monday, January 18, 2016.
Attendees make their way through the buffet at the Sheraton Imperial ballroom in RTP at the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, on Monday, January 18, 2016.
Attendees make their way through the buffet at the Sheraton Imperial ballroom in RTP at the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, on Monday, January 18, 2016.
Attendees make their way through the buffet at the Sheraton Imperial ballroom in RTP at the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, on Monday, January 18, 2016.
Capitol Broadcasting Company proudly serves as the presenting sponsor for the 36th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast on Monday, January 18, 2016.
WRAL-TV’s Loretta Harper-Arnold and WRAL retiree Clarence Williams help represent CBC at the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, on Monday, January 18, 2016.
FOX 50’s LaTonya Jones (left) & FOX 50’s Sharon Farrington help represent CBC at the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, on Monday, January 18, 2016.
Capitol Broadcasting Company proudly serves as the presenting sponsor for the 36th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast on Monday, January 18, 2016.
Attendees fill the Sheraton Imperial ballroom in RTP for the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, on Monday, January 18, 2016.
FOX 50’s Claudia Henry helps represent CBC at the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, on Monday, January 18, 2016.
Attendees fill the Sheraton Imperial ballroom in RTP for the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, on Monday, January 18, 2016.
Capitol Broadcasting Company proudly serves as the presenting sponsor for the 36th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast on Monday, January 18, 2016.
WRAL-TV live-streamed the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, on WRAL.com and broadcast the 8am hour of the event live on WRAL-TV on Monday, January 18, 2016.
WRAL-TV’s Keith Baker captures the action for the WRAL-TV & WRAL.com broadcast of the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, on Monday, January 18, 2016, at the Sheraton Imperial ballroom in RTP.
WRAL-TV’s Keith Baker captures the action for the WRAL-TV & WRAL.com broadcast of the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, on Monday, January 18, 2016, at the Sheraton Imperial ballroom in RTP.
Attendees fill the Sheraton Imperial ballroom in RTP for the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, on Monday, January 18, 2016.
Corp’s Vernessa Hoffman helps represent CBC at the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, on Monday, January 18, 2016.
FOX 50’s Sylvia Lanier looks at photos she’s taken of her clients as she helps represent CBC at the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, on Monday, January 18, 2016.
WRAL-TV’s Daniel Harrison helps manage the live broadcast of the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, on Monday, January 18, 2016.
WRAL-TV’s Daniel Harrison helps manage the live broadcast of the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, on Monday, January 18, 2016.
WRAL-TV’s Raymond Farrar helps manage the live broadcast of the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, on Monday, January 18, 2016.
WRAL-TV’s Raymond Farrar helps manage the live broadcast of the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, on Monday, January 18, 2016.
Rev. Dumas Harshaw welcomes attendees to the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, at the Sheraton Imperial ballroom in RTP on Monday, January 18, 2016.
Attendees fill the Sheraton Imperial ballroom in RTP for the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, on Monday, January 18, 2016.
Rev. Dumas Harshaw welcomes attendees to the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, at the Sheraton Imperial ballroom in RTP on Monday, January 18, 2016.
Rev. Dumas Harshaw welcomes attendees to the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, at the Sheraton Imperial ballroom in RTP on Monday, January 18, 2016.
FOX 50’s Claudia Henry (center) and WRAL-TV’s Steve Hammel (right) help represent CBC at the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, on Monday, January 18, 2016.
Rev. Dumas Harshaw welcomes attendees to the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, at the Sheraton Imperial ballroom in RTP on Monday, January 18, 2016.
Sumetrice Porter, Vice President of the Durham MLK Committee, offers a welcome at the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, at the Sheraton Imperial ballroom in RTP on Monday, January 18, 2016.
Sumetrice Porter, Vice President of the Durham MLK Committee, offers a welcome at the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, at the Sheraton Imperial ballroom in RTP on Monday, January 18, 2016.
Dache’ Chanell Hardison, a senior at Franklin Academy High School in Durham, reads her winning essay at the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, at the Sheraton Imperial ballroom in RTP on Monday, January 18, 2016.
Dache’ Chanell Hardison, a senior at Franklin Academy High School in Durham, reads her winning essay at the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, at the Sheraton Imperial ballroom in RTP on Monday, January 18, 2016.
Dache’ Chanell Hardison, a senior at Franklin Academy High School in Durham, reads her winning essay at the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, at the Sheraton Imperial ballroom in RTP on Monday, January 18, 2016.
Saxophonist Marcus Anderson of Raleigh offers up musical tributes at the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, on Monday, January 18, 2016.
Attendees fill the Sheraton Imperial ballroom in RTP for the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, on Monday, January 18, 2016.
Durham Mayor Bill Bell offers greetings at the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, at the Sheraton Imperial ballroom in RTP on Monday, January 18, 2016.
“There are moments in our life when we can steer our lives in a positive direction,” says Dr. William Lawrence, Medical Director of Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC at the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, at the Sheraton Imperial ballroom in RTP on Monday, January 18, 2016.
James White, Executive Vice President at the YMCA of the Triangle, offers greetings at the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, at the Sheraton Imperial ballroom in RTP on Monday, January 18, 2016.
WRAL-TV Anchor David Crabtree welcomes attendees, and viewers on WRAL-TV, to the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, at the Sheraton Imperial ballroom in RTP on Monday, January 18, 2016.
WRAL-TV Anchor David Crabtree welcomes attendees, and viewers on WRAL-TV, to the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, at the Sheraton Imperial ballroom in RTP on Monday, January 18, 2016.
WRAL-TV Anchor David Crabtree welcomes attendees, and viewers on WRAL-TV, to the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, at the Sheraton Imperial ballroom in RTP on Monday, January 18, 2016.
The Very Reverend Marcos Leon-Angulo of the Catholic Diocese of Raleigh offers up words on ‘Why We Do This’ at the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, at the Sheraton Imperial ballroom in RTP on Monday, January 18, 2016.
Lisa Yebuah, Campus Pastor at Southeast Edenton Street United Methodist Church in Raleigh offers a Prayer for the Vulnerable & Suffering at the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, at the Sheraton Imperial ballroom in RTP on Monday, January 18, 2016.
Imam A. Munir Mohammed of the W. Deen Muhammed Islamic Center in Durham offers a Prayer for Reconciliation at the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, at the Sheraton Imperial ballroom in RTP on Monday, January 18, 2016.
Rabbi Eric Solomon of the Beth Meyer Synagogue in Raleigh offers up a Prayer for Justice & Peace at the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, at the Sheraton Imperial ballroom in RTP on Monday, January 18, 2016.
James White, Triangle MLK, Jr. Committee Board Member, introduces the keynote speaker at the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, at the Sheraton Imperial ballroom in RTP on Monday, January 18, 2016.
Rev. Mark-Anthony Middleton, Pastor of Abundant Hope Christian Church in Durham offers the keynote at the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, at the Sheraton Imperial ballroom in RTP on Monday, January 18, 2016.
Rev. Mark-Anthony Middleton, Pastor of Abundant Hope Christian Church in Durham offers the keynote at the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, at the Sheraton Imperial ballroom in RTP on Monday, January 18, 2016.
Rev. Mark-Anthony Middleton, Pastor of Abundant Hope Christian Church in Durham offers the keynote at the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, at the Sheraton Imperial ballroom in RTP on Monday, January 18, 2016.
Rev. Mark-Anthony Middleton, Pastor of Abundant Hope Christian Church in Durham offers the keynote at the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, at the Sheraton Imperial ballroom in RTP on Monday, January 18, 2016.
Rev. Mark-Anthony Middleton, Pastor of Abundant Hope Christian Church in Durham offers the keynote at the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, at the Sheraton Imperial ballroom in RTP on Monday, January 18, 2016.
Keynote speaker Rev. Mark-Anthony Middleton gets the crowd to their feet at the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, at the Sheraton Imperial ballroom in RTP on Monday, January 18, 2016.
Attendees of all ages fill the Sheraton Imperial ballroom in RTP for the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, on Monday, January 18, 2016.
WRAL-TV’s Daniel Harrison signals keynote speaker Rev. Mark-Anthony Middleton, nearing the end of the live broadcast for the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, at the Sheraton Imperial ballroom in RTP on Monday, January 18, 2016.
Keynote speaker Rev. Mark-Anthony Middleton gets the crowd to their feet at the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, at the Sheraton Imperial ballroom in RTP on Monday, January 18, 2016.
Keynote speaker Rev. Mark-Anthony Middleton gets the crowd to their feet at the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, at the Sheraton Imperial ballroom in RTP on Monday, January 18, 2016.
Keynote speaker Rev. Mark-Anthony Middleton receives on ovation from the crowd at the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, at the Sheraton Imperial ballroom in RTP on Monday, January 18, 2016.
Mark Thomas Gibson, Senior Pastor of Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church in Providence, NC, offers up the benediction at the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by CBC, at the Sheraton Imperial ballroom in RTP on Monday, January 18, 2016.