The breakfast program featured keynote speaker Marvin Williams, a managing partner at Adelaide Strategies LLC, a consulting firm, who discussed his close family ties with the King family, and offered insight into the personal impact of the Civil Rights Movement. Sharing the stage with his son, Harold Williams, both engaged in a discussion about the importance of listening to one another and the responsibility of echoing Dr. King’s powerful words and message. Williams stated that “the dream survives only if it is personal with grit, wisdom, and skill. The dream is not a quote — it’s a job.”
Student performances and scholarship awards also formed part of the program, reflecting this year’s national theme of “What a difference Dr. King makes.”
The breakfast included a certificate of recognition presented by State Representatives Matt Shaheen (District 66), Jeff Leach (District 67), Candy Noble (District 89), Mihaela E. Plesa (District 70), and Katrina Pierson (District 33). In addition, a proclamation and a greeting on behalf of the city of McKinney and the McKinney city council was delivered by Mayor Bill Cox.
The event honored the following students and community members:
Erin Jones received the Dr. Myrtle Hightower Scholarship, named for a local leader whose long history in education and community building serves as an example for many.
Zoe Miller received a scholarship awarded in memory of Fred Moses, a Collin College Board of Trustees emeritus and incredible advocate for students, who passed away shortly after last year’s breakfast.
Kanae Wise received a scholarship awarded in memory of Michael Gregorash, a dedicated leader in the Collin College Office of Student Engagement who also diligently served on the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Power Leadership Breakfast committee for several years.
LaDetria Kirk was awarded a scholarship from longtime donors Jerome and Loretta Brister.
Cocoa Bickham was awarded a scholarship sponsored by the Plano North Metroplex (TX) Chapter of The Links, Inc., and was accompanied onstage by The Links former President Michelle Moses-Meeks.
Elizabeth Lambo was also awarded a scholarship from The Links, underwritten by Michael and Julia Dulan.
Deshawn Parker was awarded the Plano Community Forum Legacy Scholarship and was escorted to the stage by Plano Community Forum members Avery Harris and Evelyn McKnight.
Leeasiah Sheppard was honored with a scholarship provided by The Powerful Journey Organization.
The final scholarship was awarded to Kim Daniels, recipient of the MLK Unity Scholarship
presented by Juna Jones-Moore, The Links president.
Collin College serves approximately 60,000 credit and continuing education students
annually and offers more than 200 degrees and certificates, including a Bachelor of
Science in Nursing (BSN), a Bachelor of Applied Technology (BAT) in Cybersecurity,
a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Construction Management, a Bachelor of Applied
Science (BAS) in Clinical Operations Management, and a new Bachelor of Applied Technology
(BAT) in Software Development. The only public college based in Collin County, Collin
College is a partner to business, government, and industry, providing customized training
and workforce development. For more information, visit www.collin.edu.
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Photo Courtesy: Nick Young, Collin College Photographer