High Desert SCLS Hosts MLK Celebration
By Eliz Dowdy
The Southern Christian Leadership Conference hosted an MLK Jr. celebration over the weekend. The event, held at the Ambassador Hotel in Victorville, was a statement of the presence of the organization born in the crucible of chaos and
desperation during the sixties. In the face of violent acts, bombings, dog attacks and high pressure water hoses, Americans joined forces to defeat the Goliath of racism and Jim Crow laws that held a people captive.
Rev. Sherman Mitchell, founding president of the High Desert chapter, stated the chapter addresses the unfinished dream and agenda of Dr. King, who was a proponent for progressive change in the fulfillment of freedom, peace, justice, and equality for all. He was installed by then national president of the organization, Martin Luther King III in 2002.
Entertainment was provided by Chill C, a Christian rap artist and Rechelle Ellison; mistress of ceremonies was treasurer Denise Wells. The keynote speaker was Acquanetta Warren, the first Black mayor of Fontana. Warren shared some highlights form her growing up years in Los Angeles; her family came from Birmingham, Alabama. Her speech was based on her interpretation of what is needed to keep the dream of Dr. King alive. Warren graduated from Locke High School in Los Angeles, and served on the staff of city councilman Robert Farrell. Her dad was one of the first African Americans hired at the post office on Slauson Avenue. Warren attended Occidental College on a full academic scholarship.
Rev. Mitchell presented Warren with the SCLC Freedom Award, an MLK Award; the mayor of Victorville, Ryan McEachron, presented a certificate of recognition, and First District Supervisor Brad Mitzenfelt's representative, Garner Morris, presented a certificate of recognition to Warren.
Other organizations and individuals receiving recognition for the community work they are engaged in were: Mayor Ryan McEachron, Victorville; Mayor of The Town of Apple Valley, Barb Stanton, accepting for Stanton was Town Councilman Curt Emick; Deputy Zach Beckum, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department; Garner Morris, accepting on behalf of Supervisor Brad Mitzenfelt; Lionel Dew, Victor Valley African American Chamber of Commerce; the NAACP, High Desert chapter, accepting executive board member, Dr. E.C. Dowdy; NCNW, High Desert Section, accepting, Stella Bankston; Black Heritage Committee, accepting, Garner Morris; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Alumni Chapter High Desert.
The organizations were encouraged to work as a whole with each slice performing a portion of the dream manifestation. Our public schools are depreciating, our youth are incarcerated in alarming numbers, and our local infrastructure is fraught with decay and complacency. Our jobs of keeping the dream alive must extend beyond the celebration of Dr. King's birthday when we all come together and celebrate.
Rev. Mitchell told of the continuing work that the high desert chapter of SCLC is performing. They attend court hearings with individuals, observing the due process, plus helping inmates secure release from prison. He presented awards to two individuals the chapter has worked with and helped secure their release from prison, and to obtain jobs that enabled them to live decent lives. The job situation is often bleak for former inmates; the moment that blip comes up of being formerly incarcerated, the job opportunities dwindle. That is one of the proponents of recidivism. No jobs, no housing, equals crime involvement and a return to prison.
Both individuals spoke briefly. The first, Paul Scott, was incarcerated for 25 years; he was doing life without a release date. In prison he worked with inmates who needed mental help and also did HIV/AIDS counseling; he had literally lost everything during that period of his life. Today he works in a procurement organization, and was on the bus for the organization in the MLK celebration.
The second individual also served 25 years behind bars. Duane started a non-profit rescue project to help the homeless and those getting out of prison to get their lives back together.
Southern Christian Leadership Conference, High Desert chapter meets the last Monday of each month from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the offices of the Victor Valley African American Chamber of Commerce, 14240 St. Andrews, Suite 101, in Victorville. Contact number: 760-285-4906.
