Dr. Martin Luther King gave his “I Have A Dream” speech over 50 years ago, however his legacy continues to live and make an impact on society.
Southwestern College’s African American Alliance held their 6th annual Dr. Martin Luther King scholarship breakfast on January 31. Celebrating Dr. King’s vision of the young pursing their dreams through higher education.
Carjanae Evans let loose a beautiful rendition of the Black National Anthem which was gracefully sung followed by a video tribute for Nelson Mandela The tribute showed Mandela’s life as a child in South Africa, his prison time and his ascension to the presidency of South Africa. Along with commemorating the life of Mandela, attendees also celebrated the unsung heroes of World War II with keynote speaker and former Tuskegee airman Nelson B. Robinson captivating the audience
“It is an honor to be part of this event and promote contributions of African Americans to aviation,” said Robinson. “Something similar to what Martin Luther King Jr. did for African-Americans in the work place.”
“Tuskegee airmen were America’s first African-American military airmen,” said Robinson. “Their lead to the military became part of the desegregation movement.”
Formed in 1941, the group consisted of African-Americans who volunteered to fight in World War II, but were not allowed in the military pilot-training program due to racism and prejudice. Along with delicious breakfast goodies, six scholarships were served.
At the age of 17 Robinson began to serve as a cadet in the Civil Air Patrol in the United States Army Corps. After he completed aircraft mechanics school at Keesler Field, Mississippi he attended fighter pilot specialist school.
Robinson became a member of the famous all-black 99th Fighter squad. He was one of the first black aircraft mechanics to be integrated into the armed forces after President Truman ordered integration of the military. Robinson was later named Aircraft Line Crew Chief.
After finishing the required training, pilots were dispatched to Europe, North Africa and over 1,500 segregated airmen trained at the Tuskegee Army Airfield in Alabama.
Tuskegee airmen are credited with having flown in more than 1,500 missions in their storied history.
“It is an honor for me to be a part of this event and being able to promote African-American history to the SWC community, I appreciate it,” concluded Robinson.
Several city government officials attended the event, including Ron Morrison Mayor of National City, home to one of three SWC satellite campuses.
“It event brings us all together to show the diversity of our community,” said Morrison. “Today we listened to an individual who at 17 years old achieved success in a working mans situation.”
Going and defending the United States at a time when America was divided.
SWC African American Alliance presented scholarships to six students who submitted an essay about forgiving others and the negative effects of not being forgiving.
Scholarship winners Silvia Aguirre, Kalilah Nueske, Cortez Johnson, Marco Hermosillo, Dylan Griffin and Evan Cintron were recognized and also had a significant portions of their essay’s printed in the event’s program.
“I was happy and in disbelief when I was named one of the scholarship winners,” said Johnson, who plans on transferring to a four-year university and attending medical school.
SWC African American Alliance and other groups on campus cam together to help the students in the community by awarding scholarships and providing guest speakers to bring encouragement and inspiration for students of the college.