Atlanta pastor E. Dewey Smith delivers keynote at Albany’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast

A long-running Southwest Georgia tradition marks its 43rd year

An Atlanta-based minister delivered the keynote address at Albany’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Program Breakfast, a community event that has become a fixture of local observances for the national holiday honoring the civil rights leader.

The program was held January 16, 2023, at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Albany and was presented by the H.E.A.R.T. organization, whose name is short for Hand Extended Across Reaching Together. The breakfast was open to the public, with Mt. Zion church members preparing the meal for attendees.

Keynote message emphasized “spirit,” civic responsibility and respectful disagreement

The keynote speaker was the Rev. E. Dewey Smith Jr., senior pastor and teacher of The House of Hope Atlanta. In his address, Smith drew on themes associated with King’s public ministry and urged participants to focus on personal responsibility, shared humanity and sustained engagement beyond ceremonial commemorations.

Smith’s remarks included criticism of political polarization and a call for people to separate partisan differences from basic respect. He also encouraged attendees to examine their vision for change, framing civic progress as requiring ongoing dialogue and action.

“Spirit is the transportation to get you to your destination,” Smith said during the keynote, urging attendees to pursue change with intention and purpose.

Organizers and participants highlighted local service initiatives

Organizers described the breakfast as part of a broader effort to connect King Day observances with practical community support. H.E.A.R.T. is known locally for “Shoes from the H.E.A.R.T.,” an initiative that has provided thousands of pairs of new athletic shoes to students in the Dougherty County School System since 2009.

Program speakers before the keynote included H.E.A.R.T. President and CEO Anne “AJ” Johnson and Mt. Zion Senior Pastor Daniel Simmons, along with representatives from area civic and business institutions.

Music, a community march and additional service opportunities

The program included musical selections from the MLK Community Mass Choir under the direction of Bishop J. Nathan Paige. Following the breakfast, many participants joined Albany’s King Day March, which traditionally begins at Shiloh Baptist Church and proceeds to downtown.

Additional King Day activities across the community included organized day-of-service opportunities and evening events hosted by local institutions.

What the event reflects about regional MLK Day observances

• Faith institutions continue to anchor many MLK Day programs, blending worship elements with civic messaging.

• Organizers increasingly emphasize measurable service projects as a central component of holiday observances.

• Speakers often focus on themes of social cohesion and community engagement amid ongoing political divisions.