ABC 7's Jordan keynotes King breakfast in Lisle
When the Rev. Martin Luther King was assassinated nearly 42 years ago, many feared his dream of equality for all people would die along with him. But decades after that April 4, 1968, night, people from all walks of life continue to pursue his dream.
For ABC7's Karen Jordan, trying to inspire others has been her way of doing just that.
As a member of the TV station's weekend newscast, she often runs into members of the black community as she does her job. When she does, she says many thank her and call her an inspiration and a good example of aiming for your dreams.
"That really warmed my heart and opened my eyes that what I'm doing is not simply a means to an end," she said. "It really can be influential as far as someone wondering what they want to do with their lives."
On Monday, Jan. 18, Jordan will have a chance to reach more teenagers and community members as keynote speaker during the 15th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast. The event, co-sponsored by Benedictine University and College of DuPage, runs 8 to 9:30 a.m. Monday at the Krasa Student Center at Benedictine, 5700 College Road, Lisle.
In advance of the event, she spoke with the Daily Herald about King's dream and how she and others work to keep it alive.
Q. What message do you want to convey?A. How generations after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. are keeping his dream alive and what they are doing to follow his example and to inspire others. I have spoken with young girls, middle school-age and high school girls from time to time and talked about self-esteem and how it's important to value themselves. That's one small way of keeping Dr. King's dream going - by just talking to people and telling them it's important to believe in themselves.Q. Has the effect of Dr. King's dream subsided?A. I think there is the risk of a little bit of a disconnect as generations go. Dr. King is now becoming someone they just study in textbooks. (However,) I always end up having a positive feeling that kids are looking for good examples to be inspired by and to inspire them. I don't think that all is lost.Q. How much of Dr. King's message remains?A. There is still that lasting legacy that is very real. Some kids definitely seem tuned into it. I always love to see how younger teenagers are already so confident and just have a purpose and seem very focused on what they want to do. I definitely find that inspiring.Q. What effect has Barack Obama's presidency had on black and minority children?A. It sends an incredible message that (from) all parts of the country and parts of the government, everything is accessible to them. There is nothing they can't do. It validates who they are and I really think, with him being in office, it's brought so many people around to being interested in what's going on in their society. A lot of kids end up being more civic-minded and pay more attention to what's around them and fight for what they believe in.Q. How has Dr. King's dream advanced over the years?A. There has been some tremendous progress, but there is definitely some ways to go. Forty-plus years ago was Dr. King's time. In many different ways there has been tremendous progress. Politics, entertainment, the arts. But there are definitely some other ways that things can be improved.If you goWhat: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast, co-sponsored by Benedictine University and College of DuPageWhen: 8 to 9:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 18,Where: Krasa Student Center at Benedictine, 5700 College Road, LisleTickets: Limited tickets still available; $25 in advance, $30 at the door if seats remainInfo: (630) 942-4000