The dream reborn
A revamped Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration is in the works.
By ELENA LESLEY
Published December 26, 2006
CRYSTAL RIVER - Not long ago, Andrea McCray-Holly was coordinating lavish galas for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.
Back in her hometown, things aren't quite as extravagant.
"This is my excitement now, baking cookies" with family, she jokes, showing off her flour-dusted T-shirt.
But locals are thrilled to have the Crystal River native back in town. And, since she returned a year ago to be closer to relatives, she hasn't wasted any time throwing herself into the community.
Drawing on her extensive experience in fundraising and nonprofit work, McCray-Holly has teamed up with local organizers to bring Crystal River a revamped Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration.
"There will definitely be more flavor this year," said Bishop Leonard Smith of Fountain of Life Ministries. "It's going to be a grand time."
Smith began spearheading the holiday festivities after the tradition nearly died. Community members who had planned Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the past grew older and attendance dwindled.
In 2005, the event was canceled.
"It was sad," said Tara Bryant, community director of Seven Rivers Presbyterian Church. "I heard about Bishop Smith, who was saying, 'We can't let this die,' and I called him."
Working together, Smith and Bryant put together a successful lineup of activities last year. Crystal River's first King Day parade wound through the city's streets, culminating with speakers, food and games at Copeland Park.
McCray-Holly couldn't attend that event, but she soon joined up with Smith, her childhood neighbor, to organize the 2007 celebration. The holiday will be celebrated Jan. 15.
Even when she was in high school, McCray-Holly - known by her middle name, Katrice - was always active in the community.
Her reputation and her family's legacy attracted money and volunteers for the celebration. McCray-Holly's grandmother, Annie McCray, taught in Citrus County schools for 45 years, and her uncle owns Oyster's Restaurant.
"It opens a lot of doors. People say, 'I know your grandmother and your uncle, so okay,' " she said. "Usually my grandma taught the kid, the mom and sometimes even the grandma."
Little has changed in her neighborhood, McCray-Holly said, which is both good and bad.
"There's still a lack of minority representation in this area," she said. People don't step forward more "because that's the way it's always been."
"Things are changing around them and they're asleep," McCray-Holly said.
Several of the events added to the 2007 celebration aim to address this situation.
Along with the parade, gathering in the park and community fellowship service, organizers will host a minority business summit and teen summit.
"We want to educate people about Dr. King's legacy; there's a generation of people who don't know the sacrifices made before them," said Smith, who attended a segregated elementary school.
Though there any many minority-owned businesses in Crystal River, few interact with the Chamber of Commerce or Rotary Club. Smith said he thinks many people don't understand that they could join such organizations.
"There needs to be more dialogue," McCray-Holly said. "It's still pretty close-knit, but keeps new people, new ideas out."
With the help of King's message, organizers think they can start to change that.
"I wanted to give back to the community," she said. "I wanted people to ask, 'What does Dr. King's dream mean to me?' "
Elena Lesley can be reached at elesley@sptimes.com or 564-3627.