On Monday, January 20, 2020 Carl D. Perkins students attended a Unity March in Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in downtown Pikeville, KY. The march began at 10am on Hambley Boulevard, and ended at the Pikeville United Methodist Church. The Unity march was led by the Pikeville City Police Honor Guard. Though it was a short walk around the block it was a very momentous walk with 110 people from the community in attendance singing “We shall Overcome” by Mahalia Jackson lead by the Pike Central High School Chamber Choir. After the walk, we gathered in the Pikeville Community Methodist Church where we opened the ceremony with prayer and listened to musical selections by various local choirs. The keynote speaker Pastor Gary P. Brydie from Huntington, WV The Glorious Church of Christ encouraged us to “take a day on, instead of a day off” referring to the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday. And, to become the change we desire to see, Make our dreams become a reality by starting small right where we are, May we continue to dream, it begins within us.
The UPike Choir had everyone on their feet clapping and swaying to their musical selection.
Many groups and individuals participated including Pastors, High school and college Choirs, Colleges, and leaders of the community. The event was hosted by Big Sandy Community and Technical College, University of Pikeville, and The Pikeville United Methodist Church, this is the 6th year they have honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 14 Carl D. Perkins Students attended including Sean Lyon, Patrick Kent, Gavin Miller, Emma Helman, Keenan Butler, Tamara Crawford, Monika Davis, Alfuquan Hills, Michael Key, Mohammed Abdulla, Mikaylo Edwards, Cameron Wells, Isiah Riddick, and Isaiah Shepherd, were chaperoned by Recreation Manager: Tyrell Stanley and Business Community Liaison: Tiffany Fannin.