'We are all one humanity' 33rd annual celebration of Dr. King held at Wheatley School

Studying Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life, Erin More Ceesay learned, “to be a great leader, you must have a servant’s heart.”

Ceesay was the keynote speaker Monday at the 33rd annual community celebration in honor of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at Wheatley School.

Introducing Ceesay to the large crowd, Kathern Harris called her “a blessing from God.”

“These young people are coming on,” Harris said.

A published author, Ceesay is a 1997 graduate of Poplar Bluff High School, Ceesay received a bachelor’s degree from Rust College and a master’s degree from Liberty University. She is a quality assurance specialist with the Missouri Department of Mental Health.

“One of the things I admire about Erin. She came to me and asked ‘do you still need help with tutoring at Wheatley? I can help,’” Harris said.

Erin Moore Ceesay, employee of the Missouri Department of Mental Health, speaks of the importance of celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and having knowledge on Black History. DAR/Caleb H. Swallows

Ceesay called Martin Luther King Jr. “beyond great.” This year would have been his 90th birthday and she is “helping celebrate a man who could not have had a selfish bone in his body.”

Using the term setup, but, Ceesay said, not in a bad way, she feels King was setup.

“I have certainly been set up. God will set us up in life to use the gifts God gave us,” Ceesay said.

While she learned of the African American’s struggles from her parents and her grandparents, it was at Rust College when she studied with professors who truly marched beside Dr. King.

“You must serve with a pure heart … and be a faithful servant,” she said of King.

Ceesay graduated, got married, had children and moved across the country with her military husband living in many areas where everyone got along. She really didn’t plan to return to Poplar Bluff to live.

In 2011, her dad died and her mother’s cancer got worse in 2014. She asked God “why are you bringing me back?” She was worrying about herself and her children.

In June 2018, one of her friends wanted to give her a photo session for her birthday. They usually met in Memphis so the friend asked where did she want the photos done.

It was her 39th birthday. Dr. King had been killed when he was 39 years old. She decided on the National Civil Rights Museum.

“I needed to do this,” she said.

Anthony Hughes of Poplar Bluff sings the National Anthem along side the other attendees during the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration event.(DAR/Caleb H. Swallows)

Ceesay had to “fight back my tears,” and her friend said, “you are my worse client ever.”

She recalled Dr. King’s last few months were his worse. His speeches “Beyond Vietnam,” “War on Poverty” and “Silence is Betraya”l brought out many who did not agree with him. President Johnson thought he was against the war efforts, the KKK and even his own people were unhappy with him. He received many death threats.

“He kept fighting,” she said, because he believed, “we are one in the spirit. He was just so focused.”

When the Memphis Sanitation Workers Strike took place because of racism and poverty, King was there. He wanted change. He kept fighting. He never gave up. You can see life in his eyes, but he was assassinated, she said.

After returning to Poplar Bluff, Ceesay asked herself, “What good am I. There comes a time when ‘silences is a betrayal.’”

An incident recently in the local school made Ceesay decide she had to “walk like I talk it.”

She said she’s “thankful for the superintendent and school board; grateful for the diversely/equality committee which meets once a month.”

“Thank you Dr. King for never giving up,” Ceesay said. “Thank you Dr. King for standing firm for what we believe. Thank you God for giving me a servant’s heart. Thank you God for bringing me back in Poplar Bluff.”

Welcoming everyone, Betty Turner told the crowd Poplar Bluff Mayor Bill Sparks first recognized Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. day in January 1986. Turner challenged the group “to not let the dream die. Let’s always be a corner stone for our society.”

The theme for the was “We are all one humanity.”

Songs by Ashley Matlock and Janeece Matlock brought standing ovations from the crowd.

Prayers were offered for the city, state and nation.

In his prayer for the city, Rev. Carl Williams of the Bread of Life Church in Parma, Missouri, said, “let justice begin at home.” He asked the Lord to rein in hearts and “we are inviting you to come into this city and to make us a true example of your true light.”

In a prayer for the state, Rev. Annette Joseph of Holy Cross Episcopal Church said, “Dear Lord, Dr. King had a vision and that vision was to notice the sameness of humanity.”

Her prayer continued, “take that vision into their minds” and let “Dr. King’s dream become a reality in our state.”

In the prayer Rev. Andrew Jefferson of the Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church led for the nation, he said, “all thing seen and unseen, it is you God who is our missions. We ask you to forgive our sins.”

Jefferson asked “for guidance for the president, House of Representatives, Senate and the Supreme Court.”

“American has lost its morale compass,” Jefferson added, “get back to the old landmark. Lord speak to their hearts not their heads. … We pray for you to be merciful. American has drifted away from you. Our nation was born out of despair. Here we are asking you to restore our nation like you said “if my people who are called will turn from their wicked ways.”

Poplar Bluff R-I School Superintendent Dr. Scott Dill greeted the crowd with the words, “I am by trade an old school teacher,” before he asked everyone to say the Pledge of Allegiance. Dill said his entire career has followed Martin Luther King’s Dream.

“Ladies and gentlemen we are not there yet,” said Dill continuing the nation has not received the “legacy Dr. King left us. Day by day and hour by hour we will struggle together until we have justice of all.”

Rhonda Kenney and Roger Connelley led the closing song “We Shall Overcome” with everyone holding hands. Retired Poplar Bluff Police Officer Ralph Jefferson offered the closing prayer.

The program was coordinated by concerned citizens and the members of the Wheatley Historic Preservation Association Inc.

Dr. King, born Jan. 15, 1929, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. A Baptist minister and social activist, Dr. King led the civil rights movement in the United States from the mid-1950s until his death in 1968.