The third Monday in January, this day has been designated Martin Luther King, Jr. Day throughout the United States. Still, it’s far from a cause of celebration simply because school’s out or there’s no work. Instead, we should reflect in homage of a man whose name has become synonymous with the struggle for equality of all races, religions, colors and creeds. That fact isn’t lost on the Kansas City Chiefs. In fact, the Olathe Branch of the NAACP will recognize the team with its “Diversity Advocate in Sports Award” at the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy and Scholarship Awards Banquet.

The annual awards dinner will have quite a Red and Gold flare. Chiefs staffers and players on hand will include President Denny Thum as well as CB Maurice Leggett and LB Demorrio Williams. This marks the third year that the Chiefs have participated in the event, which has quickly become one of the largest of its kind locally.

The Chiefs will garner the “Diversity Advocate in Sports Award” thanks in part to a precedent initiated by the team’s late founder, Lamar Hunt. At a time when many in the industry found it taboo, Hunt actively pursued African American players for his franchise, especially those from historically Black colleges. Thanks in part to the success had by players such as Pro Football Hall of Famers Buck Buchanan (Grambling) and LB Willie Lanier (Morgan State), this practice soon became widely accepted in pro football circles. Throughout the course of the organization’s 50 years, the spirit of that standard forged by Hunt has continued.

Another highlight of the banquet will come as Rev. Adam Hamilton of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, KS is recognized with this year’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy Award. Others being honored during the evening’s festivities include: Raytown Police Chief Jim Lynch (Diversity Advocate in Law Enforcement Award), KMBZ Radio’s Michael Shanin and The Kansas City Star’s Steve Penn (Diversity Advocate in Media and Journalism Award) and U.S. Department of Justice’s Rita Valenciano (Diversity Advocate in Community Involvement Award).

Additionally, there will be several local youth on hand at the event. Throughout the course of the banquet they will each read essays they’ve composed recognizing Dr. King’s legacy in today’s society. As a result of their outstanding scribing, each of these individuals will receive a scholarship to continue their educational endeavors.

On this 24th anniversary of the first federally recognized Martin Luther King Day, it is a good time to pause and reflect on the ways we are able to help others in need. Because, at its heart, that’s what today is all about. As the Reverend Dr. King once explained, “An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.”

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