Dr. Marche Fleming-Randle said Monday that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had the dream to dream, had the education and skills, knowledge and ability to move the nation forward.

During the Martin Luther King Jr. celebration in Junction City, Fleming-Randle. the Vice President of Diversity and Community Management at Wichita State University stated every step toward the goal of justice requires three S’s….sacrifice, suffering and struggle. She asked the audience at the C.L. Hoover Opera House if they were willing to do those things to move the country forward. “Can I count on you this morning to keep the dream alive for Dr. King. I challenge you to truly be a change agent.”

Fleming-Randle has local ties after arriving to live in Junction City in 1986 with her father who was a member of the military, said, “We all need to realize that all hands must be on deck to get progress going.” She also outlined 10 best practices to keep the dream alive in 2018. They included: Use the ballots, love your enemies, rediscover your lost values, be true to yourself and others, surround yourself with greatness, recommit yourself to Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream every day, be part of the solution and not the problem, get involved with your community, education is your civil right so continue to learn and participate in education, and when something is not right you have the moral obligation to speak up.

Fleming-Randle told the audience do not let Dr. King’s sacrifice go to waste. She received a standing ovation at the conclusion of her remarks.

The observance also included the presentation of the Coretta Scott-King Courage Award to Delilah Hamilton of Junction City,  musical performances by the Geary County Children’s Choir, members of the 1st Infantry Division Jazz Band and the Michael T. Brown MLK Ensemble and then concluded with members of the community braving the frigid temperatures to do a one square block march through downtown Junction City.