In a room filled with Chicago’s political and community elite, PUSH Excel celebrated 25 years during its Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Breakfast held at the Hyatt Regency Chicago Hotel. The theme for this year’s holiday celebration, ‘Dr.King’s Unfinished Agenda – Completing the Dream’ commemorated the Civil Rights leader’s historic breakthrough in successfully challenging voter registration for African Americans and a chief spokesman for nonviolent activism.
The breakfast co-chaired by Judge Greg Mathis (The Judge Mathis Show), Pat Harris and Dr.Julianne Malveaux opened up the event with words of encouragement and reflection from each Chair in attendance.
“Today much of the focus of education is on passing standardized tests; and while educational measurement is important – Dr. King suggests that these measures are insufficient. In an article he wrote for The Maroon Tiger, he pondered the meaning and the purpose of education. He wrote that “Education must enable a (person) to become more efficient, to achieve with increasing facility the legitimate goals of his life.” Said Dr. Malveaux
The emphasis was not only on the remembrance of Rev. Dr. King’s legacy but also on the continued legacy of the man at the helm of Rainbow PUSH and PUSH Excel- Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr. who made it clear the purpose of the organization’s continued dedication is to educate and expand community youth outreach. The ceremony provided attendees with a video presentation of the work that the organization has maintained from its Social Media workshops, public speaking courses to the HBCU College tours for nearly 2,000 students over the last 17 years. The question still remains, ‘Are we executing Dr. King’s dream?’
As Rev. Jackson explains in his statement address, “Fifty years later we are free of racial barbarism and indecency but we are not socially, politically and economically fully equal – and that must be our goal. Those who fought with us as we struggled to be “let in” will not always be our allies when we now must fight to “move up,” even as the disparities in our judicial, health, education and housing systems growth further apart and the patterns of corporate exclusion continue to disappoint.
Over the last 10 years, PUSH Excel has awarded close to $5 million to student recipients from around the country, allowing college bound students to have a smoother transition adjusting to higher learning.
Rev. Dr. Janette C. Wilson, National Executive Director for PUSH Excel has dedicated her efforts in helping students over the years and stressed the importance of the organization’s programs, “We place a particular emphasis on encouraging students to “PUSH for Excellence” at every level on the educational ladder. Our Annual Dr. King Breakfast allows students to gain an understanding of the life and legacy of Dr. King and witness the talent and achievements of their peers.”
Included in the ceremony- a young orator who showed his speaking skills, reciting an encouraging speech as his small hands gestured with each emotion, brought the entire room to their feet in applause- to the Grammy award songwriter, spoken word artist and author, J. Ivy’s performance. This year’s breakfast had various highlights and kept the momentum going, allowing a short intermission for patrons and public officials to network and exchange selfies with their favorite local personalities.
The Annual PUSH Excel Rev. Dr. Martin King, Jr. Scholarship Breakfast is indeed a special event to attend and this year was especially a priority with the local election less than a month away – bringing out prospective political candidates. A week into his new reign as Illinois State Governor, Governor Bruce Rauner attended the breakfast along with Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Congressman Bobby L. Rush (D-IL), Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-IL), Congressman Danny K. Davis (D-IL), former Governor Patrick Quinn and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle among officials in attendance. Attendees showed their support for PUSH Excel’s long term commitment in preserving Dr. King’s legacy and nurturing the next generation of dynamic leaders.
Congressman Rush reflects, “I commend PUSH Excel for 25 years of serving the community, giving back and preserving Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy. Dr. King stood for many of the same principles that PUSH Excel represents in its daily commitment to make change in the lives of others. “
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