The Community Times Dispatch

Colleton County School District Superintendent Leila Williams has been tapped as Grand Marshal for the 24th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade of the Walterboro Shine Club of Arabian Temple #139 on Sunday, January 17th. Remember, Celebrate, Act! A Day On Not A Day Off is the theme of this year’s parade. Superintendent Williams said, although she was young at the time Dr. King was assassinated, she vividly recalls the conversations of older folks. Her family had not long gotten a television, but she remembers the newscast about that gruesome day

“I think the things that he stressed did a lot to pave the way for even me to be where I am. And, I think what I do as an educator is paramount to helping others to realize what his dream was,” Williams said. So often, they just talk about the part of equity, which is very important and the non-violence which is important. But to me, one of the greatest ways to achieve that equity is through becoming educated and then using that education in turn to help pull someone along. As long as we keep that cycle going, then I think we will see advancement of those things that he preached and his dream.

Parade Chairman Herman Bright became involved with the civil rights movement as a college student and says that a lot of progress has been made from then to now.

“I became very involved with this as a college student and so that kind of brings out some of my connectivity and some of the things that were going on across the country. It was then that I started taking a stand to help bring about some positive changes.”

Bright attended the march on Washington with Dr. King and he describes it as one of the biggest involvements in which he participated while Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was alive.

“I was there along with a lot of the other civil rights leaders during that time. And to see the magnitude of pulling the country together of all races was truly magnificent. And being a young person at that time, it left an impression on me. We have come a long way since then. As a result of the dream we have made tremendous progress. For all of us to live during a time to see and feel the dream and believe in the dream and to come full circle to see the nation elect our first black president…President Barack Obama.”

The Walterboro Shine Club of Arabian Temple #139 started the Martin Luther King Day Parade 24 years ago in recognition and remembrance of the late Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Bright said it was an opportunity to help rally the community together under a specific cause and to bring attention to the work that the Rev Dr. Martin Luther King did for the civil rights movement to bring about improvement.

The Shriners of the Walterboro Shrine Club and its leaders took on that task of helping to make a difference in the community. Beyond the parade, they also take on community leadership roles, participate in politics, and do other things in the community to bring about improvements.

“And as being a part of the temple, which is located in Charleston, we have full support from there for the things that we have been attempting to do here in Walterboro. As a result of that, each year it’s a combined effort to show that we still are maintaining the dream that the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. instilled in all of us during that critical time in our history,” said Bright.

The organization is encouraging churches, community groups, schools, business, and dignitaries to take part in the parade.