Imagine what it might take to be a champion for civil rights over a lifetime.
To live the values of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
To honor that spirit for peace and justice over 60 years.
To make a difference in the quality of lives for countless people across the country.
I made that champion a few decades ago. It was on a sales call, and I was immediately impressed by this man’s values, character, and positive spirit.
That man is Reverend Clyde Brooks, Founder/Chairman and Executive Director of ICDHR (Illinois Commission on Diversity & Human Relations). Through his leadership, ICDHR is now sponsoring its 55th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Remembrance Dinner. After last year’s brush with death, Reverend Brooks has persevered to bring people of all races, religions and backgrounds together – to learn, get inspired and take action.
The year’s event takes place on December 14th at The Cotillion Banquets, 360 S. Creekside Drive, in Palatine, Illinois, and everyone is invited to participate. You can reserve a seat, a table, make a donation or place an ad in the program book. Deadline to register is December 6th.
This may be the final year for this historic Dr. King Remembrance Dinner. Approaching 90 years of age, Reverend Brooks reveals he is getting tired. Through his educational programs, speaking, training and consulting, Brooks has touched thousands of lives.
I did an impromptu interview with him, and here’s an excerpt for you. See: https://bit.ly/BrooksReflects
Reverend Brooks has done so much in his lifetime…
His outreach helped provide jobs for minorities. Opportunities for women. For youth. For those facing drug addiction. For economic development. For scholarships. For supporting law enforcement. He serves as a consultant, theologian and minister. While many don’t know him, Brooks is recognized throughout the United States as a human relations building scholar.
Funds from the Dr. King Remembrance Dinner provide college scholarships for deserving high school seniors. Notable past speakers included Andrew Young, Rev. Jesse Jackson, and past President Ronald Reagan. This year, the keynote speaker is the Honorable Emanuel “Chris” Welch, Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives. There is nothing like this event in the country.
How did Reverend Brooks meet Dr. King? Initially working at a local YMCA, Brooks was assigned to be a “go-fer” for Dr. King and his family. He remembers picking them up at the Chicago airport, driving them to a rundown apartment building on Chicago’s west side, and taking them grocery shopping. Before long, Brooks was elected to the Board of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the only organization that was led by Dr. King during his lifetime.
After Dr. King’s assassination, Reverend Brooks got even more inspired to become an activist. He knew Dr. King wanted us to live in peace and harmony. “Those who believe in God and His leadership understand that God has no color, God has no religion, God has no culture. He is a God for all times.”
Favorite message from Dr. King? “This is our minute in time. This is our minute to lead. Not to dream. But to act.”
What does he want people to remember? “I preach a sermon called, ‘The Dash.’ On tombstones, there is a birthdate and an ending date. If the date is not at the end of your dash, that means you’re still living. You’re in the dash of your life. The question becomes, how do we spend the dash of our lives? I hope that’s a challenge for people to reflect and act upon, and treat people right.”
To learn more and reserve your table or seats, visit: https://icdhr.org. There are also opportunities to donate, place an ad in the program book or offer a gift for the raffle. Flyer-KingDinnerFlyer-KingDinnerYour action makes a difference!