The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Branch No. 6013 will present the 23rd annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast Saturday morning via Zoom.
The event will begin at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. The Zoom link is https://zoom.us/j/96567496065.
Lavenia Hicks, NAACP assistant secretary, said this year was challenging because the committee normally meets face to face, but had to meet virtually this time because of the pandemic.
"We usually get together, and we're able to do our work together, and it makes it more simple," she said. "We're not able to do it like we normally do. It's definitely challenging, but we're looking forward to it. We had to meet more on Zoom to make sure everything is in place."
Hicks said the breakfast is important because it honors Martin Luther King Jr., one of the best civil rights leaders of his time.
The committee has several prayers lined up for the event, including prayers for peace, regular prayers, opening prayers, and the benediction.
The Hot Springs World Class High School Dance Troupe will perform via a submitted recorded performance. There will be no live performances.
"They have always given a good performance for the last several years that we've had them," Hicks said.
The guest speaker is LaColis Reed Jr. of Peoria, Ill.
"Mr. Reed credits the success of his career choices and community involvement to the influence of his wife, parents, relatives, extended family, teachers, and his Omega Brothers. LaColis is most proud of the positive influence his various service efforts have had in the lives of Peoria youth in their formative years. He continues to advocate for the disenfranchised people in the Peoria community, who cannot speak for themselves," a news release said.
"I'm excited because I know the speaker personally. He is a friend of mine," Hicks said. "I'm really looking forward to hearing him speak this year."
According to the release, Reed started his career in Peoria in 1969. He spent 10 years teaching math in the Peoria Public Schools system.
"In 1979 he became an Engineer for Illinois Bell. As the company transitioned to Ameritech, SBC and finally AT&T, LaColis progressed to various upper-level management positions in engineering, planning, installation, maintenance, and construction over 28 years, " the release said.
"He recently ended 14 years of service as a commissioner on the Peoria Election Commission," it said.
Also, Reed has taught math in the summer Upward Bound program at Eureka College. He coached boys and girls' basketball teams at Roosevelt Junior HS for the Peoria Park District in the 1970s, the release said.
"He was an assistant coach in the Richwoods Junior Football League (JFL). He has served on the Red Cross board. He is a member of the Peoria Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)," it said.
