Each year the Ministerial Alliance of North Amityville and Vicinity partners with the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church to celebrate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King. This year the keynote speaker for the event was Judge Alonzo Jacobs who serves Suffolk County as a magistrate.

Also appearing on the program was both the Amityville High School Orchestra, who favored the audience with a grand rendition of the Black National Anthem and the Copiague High School Choir who rendered two arousing selections that included Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror” and Kirk Franklin’s “Revolution”.

Rounding out the program were poetic presentations from Amityville High School students and recognition of local public servants. The program concluded with an historical reflection and summary from MANA president, Bishop Andy C. Lewter, who recalled the spontaneous moment that resulted in the sermonic riff and refrain that has become famous, “I Have a Dream”.

The program has become a staple in the community calendar of central Long Island and is eagerly looked forward to by members of all generations, classes and races.