Former President Bill Clinton talked about a “beloved community” via a peaceful nonviolence during his acceptance speech at the Salute to Grenees Awards by the King Center in Atlanta.
“The young need to believe, and they need to believe somebody’s got their back and wants them to live up to their God-given capacity,” he said. “We must stop raising them in shame and raise them in pride.”
The King Center is honoring Clinton during its Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. observance this weekend.
Clinton, who has been out of office for 15 years yet remains enormously popular, was paid homage for his work with The Clinton Foundation and the Clinton Global Initiative.
On Monday, the King Center will host its commemorative service at Ebenezer Baptist Church to celebrate Martin Luther King’s legacy.
Speaking before a sold-out crowd, Clinton talked about furthering MLK’s dream. “It’s a fool’s error not to spend more of our lives times focusing on those things we have in common,” he said. “That is the only way to create a beloved community and turn our differences into advantage, and that is what this is about.”
Also honored was Kaiser Permanente CEO Bernard Tyson for its work promoting diversity in the workplace and philanthropic efforts. King’s sister, Dr. Christine King Farris, received a “legacy of service” award for her work in helping establish The King Center. The awards program also honored hotelier Harris Rosen for his educational community service initiative, Tangelo Park Program, in Orlando; and local teen Aidan Hornaday, who raises money for charity through music.
CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer and Channel 2 Action News anchor Jovita Moore emceed the event. Mayor Kasim Reed was also in attendance and spoke before the masses.
About Post Author
