Capitol Broadcasting Company proudly sponsored the 43rd Annual Martin Luther King Triangle InterFaith Breakfast, the 39th time for the partnership, on Monday, January 16, 2023. The event returned to in-person for the first time since the pandemic, returning to the Sheraton Imperial in RTP where it last was held in 2020.
“While this event centers on Dr. King’s legacy, it is also a catalyst for each of us to recommit to the work of building a safer and more just society,” said WRAL-TV Anchor Gerald Owens, who emceed the one-hour portion of the breakfast that was broadcast live on WRAL. The breakfast livestreamed in its entirety on WRAL.com.
The morning included prayers from leaders of a variety of faiths as well as greetings from elected officials. Kyler Vaughan, a 7th grader from East Wake Academy, delivered a special youth message while Dr. Tiffany Bennett-Cornelous and national recording artist Marcus Anderson offered musical tributes.
“We do this because we love each other and we care for one another and we come to participate and embrace one another,” said Rev Marcos Leon-Angulo of the Catholic Diocese of Raleigh. “Everything is like illusion at the beginning. Now we can see that it is almost a reality.”
Rabbi Matthew V. Soffer, Judea Reform Congregation in Durham offered the Prayer for Justice and Peace.
“There’s a blessing in being here, being fully present, especially in days of such divisiveness,” he said.
“Because we know when divisiveness grows ignorance and fear, two of the greatest obstacles to justice and peace.”
He added, “May this day foster love in our heart.”
Rev. Dr. Gregory Howard, Dean of Shaw University Divinity School delivered the keynote.
He gave the attendees a charge at the end of his remarks, “We choose to bind up racism, we choose to bind up sexism and classism. We choose to bind up misogyny. We choose to bind up every form of oppression. And as He says loose what you desire to see in heaven. We let loose equality and justice and love and dignity.”
Creighton Blackwell of Coastal Federal, also a member of the Triangle MLK Committee, presented the King Leadership Award to Donna Carrington, Executive Director of Community Empowerment Fund.
A special tribute to Rev. Dr. Dumas Harshaw, former long-time Triangle MLK Committee member and Pastor Emeritus of First Baptist church in Raleigh took place at the end of the program. Harshaw received gratitude for his service.
“We honor our mentor, friend and committed leader for over 40 years,” said Rev William Lucas as he saluted the revered leader.
Harshaw gave a fitting close to the morning, saying, “Let us keep hope alive.”