The Selma Chapter of The Links, Incorporated held its **33rd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Breakfast** on **January 19, 2024**, at the Selma Convention Center. The event attracted over **300 attendees** and received support from **36 sponsors**, highlighting a strong community commitment to justice and health equity. Themed “Three Decades, One Dream: Strengthening Our Community,” the breakfast celebrated the legacy of Dr. King while calling for renewed action and engagement.
Under the leadership of Selma Links President **Dr. Patricia Kendrick Robinson**, Unity Breakfast Chair **Dr. Willietta Ellis Conner**, and Corporate Sponsor Chair **Mrs. Pinkie Platt**, the gathering featured a keynote address by **District Court Judge Vernetta Perkins Walker**, the first woman to serve in this role in Dallas County. Walker’s speech emphasized the enduring significance of Dr. King’s vision, stating, “Justice is what love looks like in public.”
Judge Walker articulated her message around four key pillars: remember, strengthen, recommit, and move forward. She urged the audience to draw inspiration from Selma’s historical legacy while actively addressing current challenges. “We begin by remembering—not because we are sentimental, but because memory is the map for our mission,” she expressed. Walker’s call to action resonated deeply as she highlighted the need for dedicated leaders and builders in the community.
“Selma doesn’t just need another program. Selma needs leaders who will serve, builders who will stay, and people who will stand,” Walker added. Reflecting on the chapter’s three-decade history of service, Walker acknowledged past presidents and emphasized impactful initiatives led by Robinson. These initiatives include health screenings, voter participation drives, STEM programs, and scholarships for local students.
Under Robinson’s guidance, the chapter has achieved significant milestones, including over **32 acts of kindness** and **45 educational projects** within the past year alone. Walker challenged attendees with a poignant question: “What will your testimony be? This is not the time for admiration without action. It is the time to recommit boldly and move forward together.”
A notable moment during the breakfast was the recognition of **Lemarkus Snow**, a prominent entrepreneur and community servant in Selma, who was honored as the **Distinguished Citizen of the Year** for his contributions to the area. His dedication embodies the spirit of unity and progress celebrated at the event.
The Selma Chapter also awarded **20 scholarships** to students from various counties, including Dallas, Perry, Wilcox, Chilton, Autauga, and Marengo, as part of their ongoing efforts to support youth and academic achievement.
A significant focus of the breakfast was the chapter’s involvement in the **Black K.A.R.E. program**, a national initiative funded by **Vantive Corporation** aimed at addressing chronic kidney disease (CKD) among Black Americans. The Selma Chapter has participated for four consecutive years, making it one of only **60 chapters nationwide** selected to participate this year. Notably, Black Americans make up **13%** of the U.S. population but account for **35%** of the **37 million adults** diagnosed with CKD, highlighting a critical health disparity.
**Dr. Andreia White**, Physician Advocate for Black K.A.R.E., discussed the initiative’s objectives, stating, “Chronic kidney disease often has no symptoms in its early stages, which is why routine checkups and early screenings are so important.” She emphasized that raising awareness is vital for preventing complications and improving quality of life within communities. The program includes training facilitators, hosting workshops, providing free health screenings, and organizing media campaigns to reach thousands in the community.
The Black K.A.R.E. program stands as a testament to the chapter’s commitment to health equity, directly addressing Dr. King’s call to confront injustices in healthcare.
The success of the Unity Breakfast was bolstered by the generous support of **36 corporate sponsors**, representing a diverse range of businesses, organizations, and civic leaders. Notable sponsors included **International Paper, Law Offices of Jeffery C. Robinson, Pediatric Adolescent Medicine, Inc., Selma Housing Authority**, and **Congresswoman Terri Sewell**.
As Judge Walker concluded her address, her words echoed as both a challenge and a promise: “Three decades, one dream. And by the grace of God—we will not let it die in our hands.” The Unity Breakfast not only celebrated the past but also invigorated the community with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to justice and equity.
