The Charleston Job Corps Center (CJCC) operated by Horizons Youth Services (HYS), hosted a center wide Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration on Friday, January 16, 2015 at 2:30 p.m. in the center gymnasium. The Recreation Department sponsored the program under the direction of James Carter, Leisure Time Learning Coordinator. John Fleming, SGA President gave open remarks and and Rahmir Alexander read a poem, “Caged Bird” by Maya Angelou. Tierah Williams, Recreation Advisor performed a solo “Still I Rise” by Yolanda Adams.

Mary Kaye Jacquet, Acting Director for the WV Human Rights Commission served as the keynote speaker. Mary Kaye talked about “The Value of the Dream” and presented a short story of divine encounter meeting Coretta King while singing with a choir. Jacquet reminded us that “Injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere.” We have to take ownership and our lives matter. She is a long time supporter of the Job Corps program and frequently hosts students during National Groundhog Job Shadow Day and internships at the commission.

Center Director, Willie Brown, instructed students to stay focused on their goals and how they can make a difference by obtaining “the knowledge that is available” at Job Corps. He closed the observance with the last words of Dr. Martin Luther King’s, “I Have a Dream Speech” with students and staff in chorus, “Free at Last, Free at Last, Thank God all Mighty I am Free Last.”