MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - The voice of doctor Martin Luther King Jr. echoed throughout the civic center, as Monroe paid tribute to an American hero.
Freedom songs were performed by soloist Louis Nabors. And keynote speaker Dr. Janet Floyd touched on this year's theme: "Learn from the past, serve in the present, and train for the future."
She explained why Black Americans must continue to strive for a brighter future.
"Make no mistake my brothers and sisters these are the worst of times," said Floyd. "And just because a black man sits in the white house, it's had very little effect on our house."
King's famous "I have a dream" speech was read by Walter Jackson.
And awards were given to those living by his legacy - and leading our communities.
The awards concluded with a very special MLK trailblazer award dedicated to one of KNOE's veterans, Mr. Earnie Miles.
"Mr. Noe called me down one day and said: I want to talk with you. Would you like to become the first black news reporter for a television station in either Arkansas, Louisiana or Mississippi. I said: I'd love it. We've overcome all the kind of stuff. I stayed there for their two years as a news reporter."
And for more than thirty years, Miles's weekly gospel show has been a staple of the region.
"Our Sunday morning would not be right if we did not start off by watching the Earnie Miles show," said Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo (D).
Saturday, May 25 2013 1:48 PM EDT2013-05-25 17:48:48 GMT
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - University of Louisiana at Monroe Police are searching for a suspect in a residential burglary in the 4100 block of Bon Aire Drive.
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - University of Louisiana at Monroe Police are searching for a suspect in a residential burglary in the 4100 block of Bon Aire Drive.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:40 PM EDT2013-05-24 22:40:16 GMT
RIVER RIDGE, La. (AP) - Jefferson Parish sheriff's deputies say a 52-year-old man apparently shot his 16-year-old son in the head and then turned the gun on himself in their home in River Ridge.
RIVER RIDGE, La. (AP) - Jefferson Parish sheriff's deputies say a 52-year-old man apparently shot his 16-year-old son in the head and then turned the gun on himself in their home in River Ridge.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:47 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:47:06 GMT
MOREHOUSE PARISH, La. (KNOE 8 News) - A search is underway for an inmate who escaped from Morehouse Parish.25-year-old Christopher Allen Jones walked away from a work detail on Friday afternoon. Neighboring
MOREHOUSE PARISH, La. (KNOE 8 News) - A search is underway for an inmate who escaped from Morehouse Parish.
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - A Monroe lawmaker is pushing a bill to allow Louisiana's public school students to pray before and after school and even invite religious leaders on campus? Our Nolan Crane explains.
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - A Monroe lawmaker is pushing a bill to allow Louisiana's public school students to pray before and after school and even invite religious leaders on campus? Our Nolan Crane explains.
