As a small child, Cassius F. Butts began listening to vinyl records of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. promoting equality in America. At the time, he didn’t know who King was but was still moved by his words. In 1983, the year Martin Luther King Day was first recognized as a national holiday, the 12-year-old boy gave King’s famous “I Have A Dream Speech” at Richmond Elementary school in Orlando, Fla.
Butts had previously given speeches at his school and church. A few teachers and administrators selected him along with four other students to give the speech on the nation’s inaugural MLK Day.
“Dr. King’s ‘I Have A Dream’ speech laid the foundation for not just some unfulfilled few, it set the path and enhanced the presence of social justice for all mankind,” said Butts.
Read this story now for free
To continue reading, sign up for our newsletter and get unlimited access to WABE.org
You can select your preferences for news and local content. We will never share your email address. Learn how your newsletter sign-up will support WABE and Public Media
