More student entries needed ahead of MLK Scholarship Program

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Coordinating Committee, Inc. is calling on students to submit essay and speech entries for the Annual Scholarship Breakfast Program.

The event is all about inspiring young leaders to get engage involved with their community and step into their full potential.

In 1971, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Coordinating Committee, Inc. was organized initially as the Black Educators Caucus, sponsoring a remedial tutorial program in cooperation with the Minority Mental Health Association.

In 1979, in cooperation with the Palm Beach County School Board, MLKCC expanded to sponsor oratory, poster and drama contests commemorating Dr. King's January birth date.

However, this year there is a significant decline in the number of entries from students.

“Because of the pandemic, it has minimized participation,” said Edith Bush, founder of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Coordinating Committee of Palm Beach County. “We’re definitely concerned about the children who are left behind.”

However, there are several children who are already preparing their speech for the event, including the Blake brothers in West Palm Beach.

“My dream in life is to help others and become a leader that can help others,” said Derron Blake, a student at Northboro Elementary School. “I have my speech and I’m ready to go.”

The community is invited to participate in the virtual scholarship program.

Tickets are $25 to support programming and scholarship awards for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Coordinating Committee, Inc. of Palm Beach County.

The deadline for student entries has been extended to next week.

For more information, click here.