Photographer: Vanda Bidwell

M0' Betta Music Program,Nathaniel Banks,Director,presented the entertainment.12th annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration at the Hilton Garden Inn. keynote speaker, Ernest Green. He was a member of the Little Rock Nine. He was the first black graduate from Little Rock Central High School (l958)He was a recipient of the 1999 US Congressional Gold Medal. photo taken friday Jan 18, 2013

Photographer: Vanda Bidwell

Otis Noble 111,UI, and Kathleen Charleston,Parkland College, gave the closing remarks.12th annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration at the Hilton Garden Inn. keynote speaker, Ernest Green. He was a member of the Little Rock Nine. He was the first black graduate from Little Rock Central High School (l958)He was a recipient of the 1999 US Congressional Gold Medal. photo taken friday Jan 18, 2013

Photographer: Vanda Bidwell

Jason Hood,City of Champaign gave opening remarks.12th annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration at the Hilton Garden Inn. keynote speaker, Ernest Green. He was a member of the Little Rock Nine. He was the first black graduate from Little Rock Central High School (l958)He was a recipient of the 1999 US Congressional Gold Medal. photo taken friday Jan 18, 2013

Photographer: Vanda Bidwell

Jennifer Roscoe, Mistress of Ceremony.12th annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration at the Hilton Garden Inn. keynote speaker, Ernest Green. He was a member of the Little Rock Nine. He was the first black graduate from Little Rock Central High School (l958)He was a recipient of the 1999 US Congressional Gold Medal. photo taken friday Jan 18, 2013

Photographer: Vanda Bidwell

President Tom Ramage,Parkland College, Vice-President and Chancellor Phyllis Wise,UI, Mayor Pro Tem Charlie Smyth,Urbana,Dr. Francis Ihejirika,Dr. Martin Luther King,Jr. Outstanding Achievement Award,Chair Alan Kurtz,Champaign County Board, and Mayor Don Gerard,Champaign,during the presentation of awards.12th annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration at the Hilton Garden Inn. keynote speaker, Ernest Green. He was a member of the Little Rock Nine. He was the first black graduate from Little Rock Central High School (l958)He was a recipient of the 1999 US Congressional Gold Medal. photo taken friday Jan 18, 2013

Photographer: Vanda Bidwell

Barrington Coleman,Associate Professor of Voice,School of Music,UI,speaks before he sang.12th annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration at the Hilton Garden Inn. keynote speaker, Ernest Green. He was a member of the Little Rock Nine. He was the first black graduate from Little Rock Central High School (l958)He was a recipient of the 1999 US Congressional Gold Medal. photo taken friday Jan 18, 2013

Photographer: Vanda Bidwell

Keynote speaker Ernest Green gets a hug from Vacellia Clark, City of Urbana, after she introduced him . 12th annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration at the Hilton Garden Inn. keynote speaker, Ernest Green. He was a member of the Little Rock Nine. He was the first black graduate from Little Rock Central High School (l958)He was a recipient of the 1999 US Congressional Gold Medal. photo taken friday Jan 18, 2013

Photographer: Vanda Bidwell

Keynote speaker Ernest Green, a member of the "Little Rock Nine" and currently managing director of public finance,Lehman Bros. 12th annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration at the Hilton Garden Inn. keynote speaker, Ernest Green. He was a member of the Little Rock Nine. He was the first black graduate from Little Rock Central High School (l958)He was a recipient of the 1999 US Congressional Gold Medal. photo taken friday Jan 18, 2013

Photographer: Vanda Bidwell

A large crowd applauds Ernest Green.12th annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration at the Hilton Garden Inn. keynote speaker, Ernest Green. He was a member of the Little Rock Nine. He was the first black graduate from Little Rock Central High School (l958)He was a recipient of the 1999 US Congressional Gold Medal. photo taken friday Jan 18, 2013

Photographer: Vanda Bidwell

Keynote speaker Ernest Green, a member of the "Little Rock Nine" and currently managing director of public finance,Lehman Bros. 12th annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration at the Hilton Garden Inn. keynote speaker, Ernest Green. He was a member of the Little Rock Nine. He was the first black graduate from Little Rock Central High School (l958)He was a recipient of the 1999 US Congressional Gold Medal. photo taken friday Jan 18, 2013