Cleveland honors legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

CLEVELAND - About 200 people came to downtown Cleveland’s 12th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. breakfast celebration at the Marriott Hotel at Key Center. The theme this year: “Holding onto the Dream.”

The honorable Justice Yvette McGee Brown gave the keynote address.

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy," McGee Brown said, quoting Dr. King.

Those in the audience gave her a standing ovation and said McGee Brown was "real, down to earth, and frank."

Several students, from elementary school to high school-aged kids, received scholarships at the event.

Justice Brown challenged the students to pave a pathway to greatness, and not to focus on what’s going to happen in the next 40 years, rather on what they can do to prepare themselves now. She also told them not to get caught up with the celebrity fame and fortune and the temporary social problems of school.

McGee Brown, again quoted Dr. King, reminding them of what really matters. “ In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends. ”

The musical group “Humble G and the Afripeans” provided entertainment for the crowd.

Cleveland Metropolitan School District CEO Eric Gordon presented a volunteer award and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Terry Stewart added a few remarks.

NewsChannel5 was a media sponsor for the MLK, Jr. day event.