“We’ve got some difficult days ahead. But, it really doesn’t matter with me now, because I have been to the mountaintop…I have seen the Promise Land.” By Dr. Martin L. King, Jr.
On April 4, 1968, I was a college student at Emory & Henry College, Emory, Virginia. The day of Dr. King’s assassination in many ways was a “beginning” for me. My age, maturity, and life experiences at that time did not afford me the means to appreciate the depths of this tragic event and the historical and social impact it would have. I was a 20 year old college student and knew very little about the civil rights movement in the deeper south. This event began my quest for a better understanding of Dr. King, his message, and his mission. 
Fifty years later, I still continue to celebrate Dr. King’s life and his work. He has been a role model, honored and respected for his determination and courage to “make a difference”. Dr. King felt the difference he was making was worth losing his life over…and he did.
On the night prior to his assassination, April 3, 1968, he spoke in his final public speech to his Memphis audience about his lack of fear of dying. “I have been to the mountain top..!” he exclaimed. This is the Dr. King I celebrate and honor.
Unfortunately, I am concerned that over the past 50 years, the Dr. King many of us grew up knowing has been re-engineered. I am dismayed at times when people with totally different beliefs, claim Dr. King (mostly for one day) as someone they follow.
I place a great deal of confidence in the writing of Dr. King’s own personal lawyer and one of Dr. King’s closest confidants at the time of Dr. King’s death. Clarence B. Jones, author of “What Would Martin Say?” knew Dr. King in all aspects of Dr. King’s life. Jones shares what he thinks Dr. King’s position would be on numerous modern day issues. This assumes of course that Dr. King would have maintained his core beliefs for the past 50 years. If so, Dr. King most likely would not be viewed as very relevant today. Things have changed.
Do we as a nation still subscribe to Dr. King’s “I Have A Dream” message dated August 23, 1963? Do we as a nation strive to become a place where we look forward to being judged based on the content of our character and not color…or other distinguishing traits?
Today, we seem very busy assigning multiple labels and identities to each other. Many labels and titles serve to influence our judgements of others, define our values, and even justify our politics. In my opinion, this sadly moves us away from “I Have A Dream” and more importantly, this separates us from the man we celebrate and honor on this day.
I believe we should honor Dr. King on MLK, Jr. Day, and continue to celebrate him everyday for the man he was and what he believed, dreamed, and died for. And, this perhaps should include making “content of character” important again. What do you think Martin would say?
Anne G. Broady Scholarship Fund
AGBSF Goal: $1,500.00 Actual: $780.00 Deadline: February 14, 2020
Today is our seventh anniversary of the Anne G. Broady Scholarship Fund (AGBSF). We are 
honored to launch this year’s campaign again to support the ongoing English education provided by the Copey Learning Center.
With $780.00 donated in advance by several “Friends of Copey”, we are really off to a great start. Caution…do not let this be a reason to not support this campaign. We still need the remaining 48% of funds to reach our annual goal. The funds will provide a total of 15 first time students or returning students the opportunity to attend the Copey Learning Center in 2020.
Executive Director Salary Support
EDSS Goal: $2,000.00 Actual: $400.00 Deadline: March 13, 2020
Today, we are also launching our annual Executive Director Salary Support (EDSS) fundraising campaign for 2020. As with the AGBSF campaign, we have already received donations to get us started. This is our 5th year of support and as the scholarships are needed, so is providing some compensation for the Executive Director.
Without question, the survival of the Copey Learning Center has much to do with day to day, competent leadership. Obtaining this quality leadership is a significant challenge since there are very limited economic resources within Copey to support a reasonable salary to attract and maintain qualified educational administrators. The financial support we provide added to the resources the Copey Learning Center has available, allows for the level of leadership needed. I can promise that the absence of the Executive Director provides the Copey Learning Center with a very questionable future.
The Campaigns for 2020
It is most unusual to have two campaigns active at the same time. Understanding this, we have little choice since we need to raise the funds for scholarships in time to notify parents and recipients before school begins. And, less urgent but necessary, we need to provide the salary support early enough to confirm the funds are available for the salary commitment.
This year, I ask you to support these fundraisers if you have not in the past…if possible. Many of you have been extemely helpful in other ways over the years and I try to recognize this often. However, if you have been around as “Friends” for some time, you know our track record of success and devotion. Consider being a first time donor and be part of the financial success we will enjoy.
METHODS of DONATING
The methods available for donating have not changed since the first fundraising campaign. If you are planning to be a financial supporter this year, the two methods below have served us well and without any complications.
- The Copey Learning Center’s PayPal can be used to make donations directly. Please access the PayPal system by clicking on….http://copeylearningcenter.org/. Find the PayPal logo in the upper right hand corner of their homepage. To make certain the Copey Learning Center recognizes your donation and how it should be applied, indicate in the comment section on PayPal that the donation supports the “AGBSF” or the “EDSS”.
- The alternate method is to send me your donation. Make the check out to me (Arthur Broady). Once received, your check is deposited in my account and then paid directly to the same Learning Center PayPal system as in Method #1. I will enter your name and designate where it is to be applied per your directions. The PayPal system will issue me a receipt which I send to you as “proof” the donation has been submitted to the Learning Center in your name. Make your check out to Arthur Broady and send to:
725 N. Center Parkway, Apt. N-201, Kennewick, WA 99336
Phone:1-509-783-5897 - If there is a special request pertaining to 501c3 and IRS, please contact me.
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