With a stoic image of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gazing out over the hundreds of people inside the Vicksburg Convention Center Monday, the Omicron Rho Lambda Educational Foundation held its annual scholarship breakfast. 

Sponsored by the Omicron Rho Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, the breakfast served as a way to raise funds for the organization’s education foundation while honoring the enormous contribution Dr. King made in helping lead the Civil Rights movement.

The foundation also uses the breakfast to hand out its yearly scholarships awarded to students across Warren County.

“We give away four scholarships each year to graduating seniors. We also give away scholarships to our graduating seniors from our mentor group Project Alpha Leadership Club,” Educational Foundation chairman Edward Huell said. “We also give away scholarships to seventh-grade students who write an essay with the theme being: What did Martin Luther King Jr. mean to me?”

Huell, who also serves as the Omicron Rho Lambda chapter president, said the essay portion of the contest was created to help today’s youth understand the significance of King’s sacrifice to the African American community.

“We want to make sure that everyone is mindful of the things and sacrifices that Dr. King has made,” Huell said. “Also, we do this as a way to keep reminding the younger generation of who Dr. King was and the sacrifices that he made for them and what they’re being able to do today.”

Alcorn State University President Dr. Alfred Rankins Jr. served as the event’s keynote speaker. In his speech, Rankins praised the U.S. for its progress in racial equality, mentioning the election and re-election of the first black president, but also noted the problems that still affect the country today — most notably the recent deaths of unarmed black males like Trayvon Martin and Eric Garner at the hands of police officers.

The recently appointed Alcorn president also discussed the importance of education as a pillar to the African American community, calling it “more powerful than gunpowder.”

“Education gives us a competitive advantage. There’s something powerful in education,” Rankins said. “A college degree is the new freedom ticket. It is also a passport to the future.”

Rankins ended with a reflection on Dr. King’s legacy and the importance of continuing to fight for equality for all.

“This is not a black or white issue. This is a right or wrong issue,” he said. “Are you a part of the problem or a part of the solution?”