AMHERST — Gospel music that reflects the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and recognizing those who pursue goals and service aligned with the slain civil rights leader, will be featured at the MLK Breakfast Saturday.
A celebration of music, rather than a guest speaker, will be the main focus of the 33rd annual event, said Richmond Ampiah-Bonney, president of the MLK Breakfast Committee.
“This year we decided to get back to one of our strengths,” Ampiah-Bonney said, adding that music is a balm of healing and an agent to rally people to causes of justice, respect and equality for all.
“Music has been an essential component of the struggle for civil and other rights, and so this year, we turn our focus on this course of strength that we are familiar with, and that MLK was familiar with,” Ampiah-Bonney said.
Performances by both the Amherst Area Gospel Choir, directed by Jacqueline Wallace, and the choir of the Wesley United Methodist Church in Hadley, directed by Catherine Bennett, will be featured
The event, held at the Amherst Regional Middle School, starts at 8:30 a.m. in the cafeteria with coffee and socializing. Between 9 and 10 a.m., people will enjoy a breakfast and music from the Amherst Regional High School Jazz Band, directed by Kara Nye, and the chorus of Wildwood Elementary School, directed by Jake Brownell.
At 10 a.m., the event moves to the auditorium for the performances and award presentations that follow an invocation by the pastor at the Amherst Chinese Christian Church and the benediction by the pastor at Wesley United Methodist.
State Senate President Stanley Rosenberg and retired State Rep. Ellen Story will be the masters of ceremonies for the event.
Five high school students will be recognized with scholarships for their academic excellence and achievements in contributing to equality and justice in society.
They include Julianna Marie Bowen, of Amherst Regional High School, Kodwo Akyen Panyin Ampiah-Bonney of Belchertown High School, and Sara Elizabeth Scagliarini of Hopkins Academy, all earning MLK scholarships, and Benjamin McLeod Ryan of Amherst Regional and Hichul Chung of Belchertown High receiving Mary Wyatt Awards, in honor of the late breakfast founder.
In addition, the RaDAR (Race and Discipline Action Rights) Committee will be honoring a teacher in the school district who shows exemplary leadership within the community.
Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for senior citizens and $5 for children 12 and under, and proceeds support the scholarships. They can be purchased at A.J. Hastings, 45 South Pleasant St., the Jones Library, 43 Amity St., and Global Cuts, 460 West St.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
