SCLC Sprint Artist Tribute | JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise

Above: JJ Hairston and Youthful Praise

Saturday evening I had a little early Sunday morning worship at the SCLC / Sprint Artist Tribute at St. James United Methodist Church, KCMO. The featured guest artist was national gospel recording artist, JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise. Other local artist were Kansas City Boys and Girls Choir, Intentional Worship and Soul Serenade featuring Mia. The Sprint Artist Tribute is a annual event and one of many SCLC Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday two-week celebration activities. The music was awesome, the experience was awesome and the images were awesome! This was the first time I heard JJ Hairston and Youthful Praise and after hearing them in concert, made me go out and purchase their CD today. It's a must have in your collection.

Soul Serenade featuring Mia Ramsey

National gospel recording artist, JJ Hairston

Kansas City Boys Choir

Paula Saunders of "Intentional Worship"

Kansas City Boys Choir

National recording artist, "Youthful Praise"

Kansas City Boys and Girls Choir

Intentional Worship

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SCLC Sprint Artist Tribute | JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise

Urban Summit | Citizens discuss topics that effect community

The fourth annual Urban Summit was held at the Paseo Academy this past Saturday morning to discuss topics in workshops that effect their neighborhoods, schools, city government, health care, crime, housing, jobs and small business growth. The program began early in the morning and ended with a Kansas City mayoral new candidate forum. I do believe there were about five hundred people present. Above, Kit Wagner gave a presentation on the importance of universal healthcare.

Merrell Bennekin

Dr. Phillip Hickman
Lora McDonald

Gwen Grant
Nicholas Segura

Kansas City Star columnist, Lewis Diuguid (right)

Bishop James Tindall, Sr.

Ken Bacchus

Mayor Mark Funkhouser

Martina Peterson and Alvin Brooks

Martinez Denman

Gwendolyn Grant (second from left) and Turner Pettway (second from right)

Alvin Brooks and Rep. Shalonn "KiKi" Curls

Jim Nunnelly, Jermaine Reed, Erica Cockrell, and Daron McGee

Benjamin Richardson, left, stand with a mutural friend, and fiance, right

2011 Urban Summit Young Professionals

Kansas City Mayoral Candidate forum. Candidates present were: Mayor Mark Funkhouser, Sly James, Henry Klein, Mike Burke, Deb Hermann and Jim Rowland

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Urban Summit | Citizens discuss topics that effect community

SCLC | Thank You "Fuzzy"

This past Friday evening, Rev. Nelson "Fuzzy" Thompson, president of the Greater Kansas City Chapter of Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) was given an appreciation ceremony for his leadership, service and dedicated civil rights moral beliefs. The ceremony took place at the Metropolitan Spiritual Church of Christ, KCMO and a packed church house. Friends from all across the state and country came to celebrate in his honor. It's always warming to hear words from the heart on what others think about your impact on others lives. I've known Rev. Thompson for years and still have not been told why they call him "Fuzzy". Maybe someone will be able to tell me.

Stay tuned for more highlights and features in the coming week.

Rev. Nelson "Fuzzy" Thompson being escorted inside the church with a element of surprise on his face.

Guests of honor who gave personal tributes to Rev. Thompson.

Dr. Wallace Hartsfield (right), the "Godfather" as many local ministers call him, share a laugh with Rev. C.L. Bacchus (left).

Professor Michael Charles lead the choir in a song.

Rev. Dr. Robert Lee Hill, (left) and Rev. Harry Fookle, (right) were among the guests who gave tributes.

Arlana Coleman

Attorney Wesley Fields and his daughter.

Long time good friend, Lattimore, shares some special and funny moments.

Rev. Thompson is a praying man and his hands are always in a submissive stance.

Councilwoman Melba Curls

Rev. Desmond Lamb

Rev. Sam Mann displays a commerative plague on behalf of Rev. Thompson.

Rebecca Gilmore, SCLC Scholarship recipient.

Michael Carter, of Carter Broadcast Group, gives remarks and presents Rev. Thompson & SCLC a $10,000 check.

Rev. Thompson shares a little emotion and joy at the end of the appreciation ceremony.

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SCLC | Thank You "Fuzzy"