As the smell of salmon filled the air in the fellowship hall of Greater Mount Triumph Missionary Baptist Church last weekend, a feeling of welcome came over me.

Last Saturday, the 13th annual Rosa Parks Breakfast was held. The annual event is held to celebrate the contributions of Parks and other prominent African Americans who have paved the way throughout history.

As the program, which included solos by Pastor Willie Hawthorne Sr., a city update from Mayor Jim Staff, a keynote presentation by Beatrice Forniss and award presentations, went along, I couldn’t help but be thankful.

I’m thankful that I live in a community that takes pride in its heritage, and where we are going as a community.

I’m thankful that we can openly celebrate history and where we’re going to next.

I think Forniss said it best.

“It’s time to get off the sofa or chair and stop waiting for somebody to do something,” she said. “What have you done for Him lately?”

As I sat there listening to Forniss’s words, I thought about what kind of person Parks and even Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was. Forniss talked about King a little bit during her speech.

Both must have been courageous, brave and strong.

And both must have believed in others, not just themselves.

I bet it took a lot for both to stand up for what they believe in during that time in our state’s history.

What do you believe in and how will you help change the world?