Written by | Ray Cornelius 

Check out photos from Tuesday night’s We As A People ceremony presented by my sister in media Rose Scott and Atlanta’s NPR station WABE 90.1. The event took place at Atlanta’s National Center for Civil and Human Rights and yours truly was there to capture the sights and sounds of evening.

We As A People was part of Scott’s four-month long examination of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It was the culminating event for ATL 68, which recognized the 50th Anniversary of King’s assassination and put a spotlight on individuals and organizations who are preserving Dr. King’s mission.

The honorees included the Honorable Leah Ward Sears (former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Goergia), Chelsea Jackson (Emory University Rhodes Scholar and Co-Founder of Atlanta Black Student United), Elisabeth and Afemo Omilami (Actors and Activists), Kim Bearden (The Ron Clark Academy), Dr. Tobe Johnson (iconic Morehouse College Professor), Kelli and C.J. Stewart (Founders of L.E.A.D Atlanta), Jonathan Rapping and Ilham Askia (Gideon’s Promise), Jim Wehner (Carver Neighborhood Market), Dr. Judith Wold (Healthcare Provider for Migrant Workers), Dr. Heval Kelli (cardiologist and advocate), Greg Smith (HIV/AIDS advocate) and K. Rashid Nuri (Founder of Truly Living Well). 

“Honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is extremely important to us. Rose Scott, and the “Closer Look,” team have worked hard to identify leaders in our local community that exemplify the characteristics of Dr. King. We highlight the work of these individuals to demonstrate the continued impact of Dr. King’s mission here in the city of Atlanta,” said Wonya Lucas, President and CEO of Public Broadcasting Atlanta.

Awards were given out throughout the ceremony by Scott and Lucas along with WABE’s Lois Reitzes of the arts and entertainment show City Lights. In addition, attendees were also treated to a powerful keynote address from Dr. Catherine Meeks, Executive Director of the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing. She encouraged everyone to revisit Dr. King’s iconic “Letter from the Birmingham Jail.” Soul music vocalist Rhonda Thomas closed out the evening with a beautiful rendition of “Bridge Over Troubled Waters” featuring guitarist Andre Avelino.

Rose Scott is the host of WABE’s Closer Look, a newsmagazine featuring the key stories of the day that are relevant to the Atlanta community. It features a mix of local national and international stories and interviews and provides an interactive space to share ideas and dig deeper into issues.

Check out more photos from We As A People below:

HONOREES

Honorable Leah Ward Sears

Chelsea Jackson

Dr. Tobe Johnson

Kim Bearden

Elisabeth + Afemo Omilami

Dr. Judith Wold

Kelli Stewart

Jim Wehner

Jonathan Rapping + Ilham Askia

Greg Smith

Friend accepting on behalf of K. Rashid Nuri 

Dr. Heval Kelli 

Rhonda Thomas + Andre Avelino

Rose Scott + Wonya Lucas + WABE staff

WABE’s Lois Reitzes

Rose Scott + Rhonda Thomas 

Photo Credits: RayCornelius.com