Hinds County Legislative Prayer Breakfast: A great way to start one’s MLK Day!

By Alice Thomas-Tisdale

JA Publisher Emerita

The 35th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast was held on Monday, January 19, 2026. Rep. Earle S. Banks, presided. Yes, it’s always early, but well worth rising with the sun to make it to Greater Bethlehem Temple Church in West Jackson by the 7:30 a.m. start time. Some 600 guests did just that and found themselves immersed in conversation as well as a southern-style hot breakfast.

The event was sponsored by the Hinds County Legislators, corporate partners, and Jackson community service organizations: 

GOLD CORPORATE SPONSORS:

Atmos Energy, BankPlus, Fisher Brown Bottrell (a Marsh McLennan Agency), Jackson Municipal Airport Authority, and Nissan

CORPORATE SPONSORS:

Willie Bozeman, American Medical Response, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (Beta Delta Omega Chapter), Cadence/Huntington Bank, Coleman Alexander Prosser Foundation, Inc., Jackson Branch NAACP, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. (Mu Sigma Chapter), The Clay Firm, WaterView Casino Vicksburg, Fitz Tunica Casino Resort, and WT Consultants, LLC

COMMUNITY PARTNERS:

Mississippi Immigrants Rights Alliance (MIRA), Mississippi Votes, and Tougaloo College

The Call to Worship was tasked to Senator Hillman Frazier. Rep. Grace Butler-Washington set the mood with the Occasion. Rev. James Shoulders, Pastor, Rising Sun M.B. Church, delivered the Opening Prayer, which was followed by the singing of the National Black Anthem and Dreamer’s Litany led by Senator Kamesha Mumford.

Attendees were treated to the graceful dancing of students from the Judah School of Performing Arts; Amber Jones, Director. The students received a standing ovation for their interpretation of “Wade in the Water”.

Remarks were made by Jackson Mayor John Horhn; Hinds County Supervisor Robert Graham; Rust College President, Dr. Johnny M. Moore; Tougaloo College President, Dr. Donzell Lee; and Alcorn State University VP of Marketing, Maxine Greenleaf. 

Prayers were offered by Pastor Robert Barry Jr., Word of Life Poindexter (Prayer for City, State and Nation); Rev. James Edwards, Rosemont M.B. Church (Prayer for Unity and Peace); and Rev. Anne Maxwell, Priest, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Cathedral (Prayer for Future).

Special thanks were given to Rev. Robert Forston Sr., Pastor, Greater Bethlehem Temple Church, for providing the venue and being on hand to give the closing prayer.