What if During the Civil Rights Movement, heroic icons like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. or Fannie Lou Hamer gave up the fight and let injustice win? What if great Black athletes like Muhammad Ali or Colin Kaepernick let racism and bias silence their voices and stop them from standing up for what is right? What if great Black inventors let those who doubted them make them doubt their own ability? They never gave up because the cause was and is too important to give up. On March 25, 1965, after the Selma to Montgomery March, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave a speech in which he asked “How long, Not long. He further stated, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.” There are still so many African Americans and supporters of what is right today, who believe that the fight is not over and through commitment and service, justice will be served. On Saturday, January 18th SEED Male Mentoring Program will hold its 15th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Breakfast at the Hyatt Regency, 102 Carnegie Center Drive, Princeton N.J. from 10:00 am-1:00 pm. This year’s theme is “Keep On Pushing.” Taking a page from the incredible history of the resilience and perseverance of the African American story, the event provides an opportunity for the SEED to continue to recognize African Americans who personify service and giving back to the community. Mr. Algernon Ward, the first Black chemist who worked for the State of New Jersey will receive the Legacy Award. Due to Algernon’s commitment to African American Culture and History, he has been a Civil War Reenactor for many years. He volunteers with a group of men who reenact and represent African American men who have served in the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and World War One and Two. His commitment to sharing this history gives honor to all African American military personnel who suffered injustices when the military was segregated. Mr. Ward also spearheads the Locust Hill Cemetery Project on Hart Ave where Black men from New Jersey who fought in the Civil War are buried. Other esteemed honorees are Micah Freeman, Jelani Garrett, Reggie Walker, Keoke Wooten Johnson, and Louise McCants. Darren “Freedom” Green, community activist, and organizer will present the Keynote Address. The prolific musician and composer of the sixties Curtis Mayfield wrote the song “Keep On Pushing in 1964.” African Americans were experiencing difficult times. The struggle for equal rights was raging. Today we fight a different fight and there are people who will be recognized today, who are making sure we never give up and they gladly give their services to others to make impactful change happen in our communities. Dr, Martin Luther King Jr. asked “How Long? Not Long.” In the song “Keep on Pushing,” Mr. Mayfield’s lyrics say, “Look yonder what’s that I see? A great big stone wall stands there ahead of me, But I’ve got my pride, And I’ll move on aside. Keep on pushing.” Today we honor those who “Keep on pushing.” We can’t stop now. We are living in difficult times “How Long? Not Long.” Tickets for this event are $80. Contact Mr. Stacy Heading (267)528-5781 for tickets and additional information. — Courtesy of SEED Male Mentoring Program