Voices of Hope Echo in Dillard
The Gymnasium at Dillard School Apartments was filled with hopeful voices, young and old, during Monday's event honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
"Today we are passing the torch to the youth," Alycia Johnson said as she welcomed community members to the January 19th Voices of Hope program celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King., Jr. Johnson serves as Social Action Chair for the Burlington Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., which hosted the program in partnership with DEEDS.
Young people played a large part in the program, which featured the Dance Ministry from Sweet Gum Grove Missionary Baptist Church and a musical selection by Elliott Enoch of Yanceyville, NC. Jadah Smith, a student from Bartlett Yancey High School (BYHS) performed the National Anthem.
Kimora Rone and Nyla Lancaster, both students at Bartlett Yancey offered oratorical presentations on Justice and Service. Cherish Adkins, a student at George Washington High School in Danville spoke on Courage. Edwin Terrell Enoch of Cary High School offered reflections on Equity and Unity.
Jadah Smith and Elliott Enoch shared their musical talent while Kimora Rone, Cherish Adkins, Nyla Lancaster, and Edwin Terrell Enoch offered oration.
"Dr. King didn't preach fantasy, he preached responsibility," explained speaker Courtney Turner, Founder of Dapper Distinguished Men Society and Austin, Texas Alumni Chapter Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity, Inc.
Turner referenced Songs of Dreams and Nightmares by Meek Mills throughout his remarks, noting that whether you're in the middle of a dream or nightmare, life still required you to get up and keep going.
"We are living the dream," he asserted, adding that he believes we are living the nightmare at the same time, pointing to a host of persistent inequities that lead to disparities in health, education, justice, etc.
"That's not accidental, that's systemic," Turner noted. "The scariest part is that we see these numbers, shrug, and 'say that's just how it is'."
"Dr. King didn't dream with his eyes closed," he said, adding that, "waking up means being honest about where we are."
Turner pointed out that youth was not an excuse to disengage and asked the older folks to not yet grow weary as there is always work to be done. He asked those present to understand that, "nightmares should shape you, not scare you. My focus shouldn't be on what woke me up but on what work needs to be done now that I'm awake."
"The discomfort is not punishment, but preparation," Turner told the audience before pointing out that, "dreaming without action is just fantasy."
Others on the program echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the work that still must be done while honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr., and those in the room who lived through Jim Crow.
The event also provided an opportunity to participate in a food drive for County Outreach Ministry. Additional speakers or musical guests on the program included:
- Darrell McLean, Yanceyville Mayor Pro Tem, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and Reverend Hairston of Danville, Virginia
- Shekeithia Newton, Chapter President, Burlington Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
- Trudy Blackwell, DEEDS, Inc.
- Reverend Kim Moss, Stoney Creek AME Church, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., NC NAACP
- Apostle Grea Blackwell, Pinnacle Ministries
- Valerie Sellars, Eta Eta Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phis Beta Sorority, Inc.
- Pastor Hamid Kamara - Bluestone Missionary Baptist Church, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
- Ms. Virginia Taylor
- Reverend Paul & Mrs. Alice Robinson, County Outreach Ministry
- Deacon Martin Walston, High Rock Baptist Church, High Rock Community Center
- Pastor Henry Long, High Rock Baptist Church
Compilation of videos and photos from the January 19, 2026 Voices of Hope Program
