6^1 W&cL N CC ‘Cling to King’s dream’ 20th annual Prayer Breakfast kicks off festivities for MLK Jr. Day Photo by Alphonso Abbott Jr. BY TEVIN STINSON THE CHRONICLE The more than 1,000 people from every walk of life in attendance at the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast earlier this week were spurred to “cling to King’s dream,” work together, and continue to fight for change by exercising their right to vote. “Dr. Martin Luther King’s words had power and they gave us hope and hope is defined as joyful, confident expectations,” THE PEARLS PROGRAM "Preparing Eager Achievers to Redirect their Lives Successfully" The PEARLS program is designed for young women PEARLS Activities. Horseback Riding, camping, between the ages of 12-17 who are at high-risk for access to trauma counseling and support group, domestic violence and substance abuse. yoga, swimming lessons and much more. APPLICATIONS WILL START JANUARY 3,2020 AND END FEBRUARY 3, 2020. SPOTS ARE LIMITED. For more information, please call Tenika Clark at (336) 865-0388 or visit our website at elizashelpinghands.org “/ believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why rights temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant. ” Sobel Peace Prize acceptance speech, 1964 said Brigadier General James Gorham while de livering the keynote ad dress. A native of Pitt County, Gen. Gorham joined the Army right out of high school. He later contin ued his education at East Carolina University be fore he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the N.C. National Guard, where he served for more than 30 years. In 2009 Gor ham made history when he became the first African American to reach the rank of General in the history of the N.C. National Guard. He retired in 2012 with nearly 40 years of military service. Gorham also had a suc cessful civilian career in banking and served as di rector of special projects for the N.C. Department of Public Safety. “Dr. King planted the trees where under the shade we now sit. I and many of you here are di rect beneficiaries of Dr. King’s dream and thereby part of his legacy,” he con tinued. “Like Dr. King, we as leaders have to be See Breakfast on A2