In the Footsteps of Dr. King: Meet Reverend Clyde Brooks

by Lynn Sanders | Nov 16, 2024 | DMM Blog

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 55^th 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 14^th 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 6^th.

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-KingDinner Flyer-KingDinnerYour action makes a difference!

Sharing An Experience Of A Lifetime Into A Children’s Story

by Lynn Sanders | Mar 28, 2024 | DMM Blog

It was an experience I’d remember for a lifetime.

During the summers of 2009, 2010, and 2011, our family traveled with Causes for Change International, a nonprofit organization, to provide free healthcare to children in need.

Joel, my husband who was a local holistic dentist, served as the volunteer dentist, working in primitive conditions with no electricity. I offered musical games and songs outdoors with a borrowed guitar, playing in the 90+ degree heat, and distracting the children before their first dental exam or extraction.

“What can a kid do?” thought Andrew, our son.

Since the children never had a toothbrush before, Andrew became the volunteer toothbrushing teacher. He passed out toothbrushes to kids who never had one before, and showed them how to care for their teeth. He also invited the children to pick out their own small stuffed animals as toys.

He held a flashlight over the children’s mouths for his dad to see their teeth more clearly. And Andrew led games during breaks. He was highly regarded, and felt the joy of giving.

While gathering stuffed animal toys (beanie babies) before the trip, one little bear stood out. The nametag stated, “Fuzzy Bear.” On his fuzzy white chest was a note, pinned to his chest, with childish writing. The words said, “This is Fuzzy Bear. Please take very good care of him.”

The love behind that donation was quite meaningful. Fuzzy Bear became an important part of the new story. The story is told from the imagined diary of Andrew, and the experiences involved in volunteering — from the preparation to the trip itself.

Adventures In Ecuador: Diary of a Volunteer offers children, ages 5-9, a chance to understand what’s involved in giving of oneself, and the rewards of greater self-esteem. joy, and fulfillment in making a positive difference in the lives of others.

After that, the book will be printed into a paperback and hardcover version. The content includes a variety of Spanish words and phrases (with translations in the back), a “Behind the Scenes” section, a bio and story about Zully Alvarado, Founder of Causes for Change International, two video interviews — with the links, photos from the trip and an empowerment page for kids, filled with positive affirmations.

Lynn's Bio:

Award-winning and bestselling writer, video producer, media host of “The Difference Makers,” and promotional consultant for both cause-focused businesses, entrepreneurs and nonprofit organizations. With 30 years of experience, Lynn’s writing was behind the WGN-TV lyrics for WGN-TV’s Chicago’s Very Own Channel 9. Her work encompasses writing live trade shows for Fortune 500 clients, commercials, print, publicity, videos and speeches. This is her third children’s book.

The others were: Social Justice: How You Can Make A Difference, and the bestseller, Dancing With Tex: The Remarkable Friendship To Save The Whooping Cranes.

To learn more about using the power of your stories for business or personal legacies, visit: Difference Makers Media. You can also email Lynn at: Lynn@DifferenceMakersMedia.com.

“We all make a difference,” says Lynn, “And you get to choose what kind of difference you want to make.”

P.S. My ebook is available on Amazon for free from March 28th-30th. Visit: https://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Ecuador-Volunteer-Lynn-Sanders/dp/0997592176/ref=sr_1_1