Caribbean-Americans for Community Involvement (CAFCI) and the Village of Royal Palm Beach are gearing up to present their 14th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, taking place Monday, Jan. 18 at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center.
The free celebration starts at 10 a.m. and ends around noon, with a light breakfast provided from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
“This is the 14th annual celebration here at the Cultural Center. It’s really in celebration of the life and the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” Community & Cultural Events Superintendent Carlos Morales said. “They do a lot of great tributes. Local politicians get involved in it. They have some great speakers lined up to perform, along with a lot of young performers. Usually, they like to throw one or two surprises out there.”
CAFCI Cultural Director Elet Cyris and committee members Marjorie Aiken, Hope Francis, Margaret Granada, Shirley Morrison, Paul Baker, Hensworth Fergueson, Ernie Garvey, Winsom Martin and Geneive White are putting together the final details for the special celebration.
“We’ve had the same committee all of these years. They’re not going anywhere,” Cyris said. “Fourteen years. I can’t believe it!”
This year’s theme is “Dignity, Justice, Equality & Love.”
Royal Palm Beach Councilman Fred Pinto, who is currently running for mayor, will be the morning’s guest speaker. The master of ceremonies will be announced shortly.
From beginning to end, talented performers of all ages will help the community celebrate Dr. King’s legacy. Jade Master will be singing the national anthem, the Blues Brothers, Broadway Stars/Dance Arts Conservatory, Jade and Demi Master, pianist Copeland Davis, St. Christopher’s Angels and the Sons of Mystro will take to the stage, Cyris said.
“One of the things is to keep Dr. King’s legacy, especially with the young people, to keep that going, with the hope that they do follow through on it. That’s what we’re really trying to do,” Cyris said.
Putting on the celebration is a group event with the village, the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County, Palm Beach County and CAFCI, Cyris said.
Cyris encourages all residents of the western communities to attend, especially those who have not yet attended the celebration. She even has family and friends from New York and Georgia coming in for the event. “Come out and see our production and see the message that it brings. The theme really represents it,” she said. “See what we produce in the community for young people, for everyone, really. Its entertainment, and it’s Dr. King’s legacy.”
Focusing on teaching younger generations is important to Cyris, who wants to ensure that future and current generations know the legacy and message of the slain civil rights leader.
Turnout always exceeds expectations, Cyris said. The capacity of the Cultural Center is just under 400 people, and the event typically meets maximum capacity, Morales added, encouraging attendees to arrive early.
“The Village of Royal Palm Beach is definitely proud in having this event and teaming up with CAFCI to put this on for the 14th year in a row,” Morales said. “It’s really one of a kind. Anywhere around the western communities, you’re not going to find an event like this… There aren’t really any other municipalities putting on an event of this type.”
Royal Palm Beach has many events coming up in the next few weeks, Morales said. There’s the Green Market & Bazaar on Sundays, the concert and movie nights, the Kids Yard Sale on Feb. 6, the Royal Palm Beach Community Band’s Sweetheart Concert on Feb. 9, and the return of West Fest, set for Feb. 26-28.
For more information, visit www.royalpalmbeach.com.
ABOVE: Shown here are Royal Palm Beach officials with CAFCI Cultural Committee members at last year’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. (L-R) Marjorie Aiken, Ernie Garvey, Margaret Granada, Elet Cyris, RPB Councilman Fred Pinto, RPB Mayor Matty Mattioli, Hensworth Fergueson, Winsom Martin, Paul Baker, Geneive White and Shirley Morrison. Not shown: Hope Francis.
