Community leaders and residents remembered the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. Monday as the NAACP held its 40th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast at the newly completed Frank Cochran Center at Highland Park.

 

The yearly observance is held to not only reflect on the word and works of MLK Jr. but also encourage residents to continue to strive for unity and equality in the Queen City.

 

“Today we gather to honor the legacy of Dr. King. His legacy, his courage, his unwavering commitment to Justice, equality and love,” said JoLeigh Payne, a member of the NAACP youth division. “As we share this meal together, let us reflect on the progress we have made and renew our dedication to the work that remains.”

 

Melba Clark-Payne, who delivered the occasion message for Monday’s breakfast, said a single voice can change a city, state, nation and the world. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his voice to change the world, she said.

 

One of Martin Luther King Jr.’s initiatives, Clark-Payne said, was to highlight the importance of garbage men, and the critical role they fill in society. He did this, she said, to emphasize that every job, every person is important.

 

“So we are here to celebrate his legacy. We are here to make that change,” she said.

Lauderdale County Supervisor Craig Houston said he looks back on the sacrifices Martin Luther King Jr. made to help others and sees a true leader. As elected officials and leaders in the community, he said cooperation and service to Meridian’s residents has to come first.

 

“He sacrificed for us. Now that’s a true leader, serving people, and I implore all elected officials, business leaders and people in our community, we gotta serve our people. We gotta be there for our people,” he said. “ And it’s about our people. It’s about our community moving forward. We’ve got to work together.”

 

Transportation Commissioner Willie Simmons, who represents Mississippi’s Central District, said it is because of the efforts of Martin Luther King Jr. that he is able to serve in the role he currently holds.

 

“I’m in the position because of the work of Dr. Martin Luther King,” Simmons said. “There’s no way that I could be serving in this capacity had he not done the work he did and given the life, his life, and the legacy that he has for making things better in America.”

 

While Monday is federally designated to recognize Martin Luther King Jr., Simmons said there is another figure who also deserves to be recognized. Former state Rep. Charles Young Jr., who represented District 82 including Meridian from 2011 to his death on Dec. 19, 2024, was a strong supporter of the NAACP, as well as an advocate for Meridian and its residents.

 

Simmons said Young was always working and always had things going on in the background to help the residents of his district and find ways to solve problems.

 

“I will always remember him and his work,” he said. “Many individuals didn’t understand him and didn’t understand what he was doing because they couldn’t see it, but he was always working and moving.”

 

In 2019, when running for Transportation Commissioner, Simmons said Young was instrumental in introducing him to the people of Lauderdale County and gaining their support. In exchange, he said, Young wanted a promise that Meridian and Lauderdale County would receive their fair share of resources.

“He wanted to make sure that Lauderdale County would no longer be treated like a step child. It would no longer be treated like just one of those counties, but it would be treated with equity,” he said. “So he wanted the opportunities, the resources and the equity to come to Lauderdale County, and that was a promise that he made me make in order for him to introduce me to you.”

 

Since then, Simmons said, he has tried to live up to that promise and hopes the residents of Meridian and Lauderdale County can see the impact it has had on the community and feel grateful for Rep. Young.

 

“May that you all always remember the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, and you, too, should have a dream that you work towards to make sure that opportunities, resources and equity always come to you, your family and your loved ones, and the citizens of Lauderdale County,” he said.

 

For more photos from Monday’s event, click HERE.