The story of the Westerville Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast Celebration starts like many others: Someone took a brave step forward.
That someone was Jim Zippay, a pastor at Heritage Christian Church and member of the Westerville Area Ministerial Association. Although Columbus has long hosted a large morning celebration in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Zippay had a vision for the community to celebrate closer to home.
“Heritage has always had an intentional focus to build racial diversity within the congregation. Even years ago it was not as strong as it is today,” said Zippay. “Back then, my colleague Richard Johnson and I went to a ceremony (on MLK Day) at Otterbein. When we walked out, I thought, ‘We could do this.’ That's how it started. Like anything, you don’t know how it's going to go, but we knew it was right.”
Ten years after that moment, Zippay will be the keynote speaker at the 2015 Westerville Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. His talk will focus on the question “Where are we really?” and relate to community acceptance and understanding of Dr. King’s aspirations and ideals for unity and equality.
“I’m proud and grateful for the community we live in but continue to grieve that we’re still not talking about things at the level we need to - the level where healing happens,” said Zippay. “There’s still such unrest all over the country. There’s polarization going on here, and people can't hear each other’s views. It’s all the more drive to keep moving forward.”
To keep Zippay’s vision moving forward, a committee of community and organizational representatives arranges the annual event, led by Pastor Vaughn Bell since 2009. Meeting several times a year, the committee’s objective is to plan the morning celebration, which includes entertainment, guest speakers and recognition for student and community leaders.
The annual Alston Award, named in honor of Miriam Alston and the group of slaves she freed who traveled to the Westerville area in 1859, is part of the program awarded to a member of the community who best demonstrates the characteristics of Dr. King: tolerance, respect, kindness, bravery and determination. Westerville City Schools students are also selected as Fouse Award recipients, in honor of William H. Fouse, the first black graduate of Westerville City Schools and Otterbein College (now University).
This year, the committee has placed a special emphasis on attendees bringing their families, especially students who have the day off from school.
“When we’re talking about exposing the ideas of Dr. King to a new generation, this is where we need to start,” said Bell. “It’s important that our children experience this event and have a solemn moment of education about what Dr. King contributed to our country.”
In its annual tradition of continuing the celebration throughout the day, Otterbein University, in conjunction with Westerville Parks & Recreation, will host service projects through its “Day-On” community service program at the Westerville Community Center. The public is invited to participate.
“The challenge is to build upon what you started,” said Zippay. “The answer is civility. The answer is the beloved community. We need to learn to listen to each other and hear each other. The challenge comes on the heels of great progress, and I have great confidence inside me for this community.”
Registration prices for the breakfast are $25 per adult and $15 per student. Businesses may sponsor a table for $300, which includes 10 breakfast registrations and recognition as a table sponsor in the event program.
The event is held annually at Villa Milano Banquet and Conference Center, 1630 Schrock Rd., Registration begins at 7:30 a.m., and the program will start promptly at 8 a.m. For more information, please visit www.leadershipwesterville.org.
