Rosa Parks Annual Breakfast
By SHERRY DIGMON
News Publisher
The 18th Annual Rosa Parks Breakfast Celebration was held Saturday morning, February 1, at Greater Mt. Triumph Missionary Baptist Church.
Dr. Zickeyous Byrd served as Master of Ceremony again this year. In his opening remarks, he mentioned the “opportunity to assemble ourselves again,” noting this was the 18th year of the Rosa Parks Breakfast. He paid homage to Rosa Parks as the First Lady of The Civil Rights Movement, and he complimented breakfast founder and organizer Lillie Johnson and the Yellow Hat Society, which she also founded, for their visionary leadership.
Then Dr. Byrd set the tone for the day, telling the new people in the audience, “This is our family reunion. This is like coming to Grandmama’s house. We reminisce; we sit around the table and eat together.” He mentioned a number of characters who could be present at any family reunion – a preacher, a talkative uncle, special aunt and cousin, patriarch, Mother Dear, Big Mama, and of course, Grandmama. And he reminded everyone that you “don’t be on your cell phone at Grandmama’s house.” The humor continued throughout the morning as different speakers sometimes identified themselves as one of the characters – or Dr. Byrd identified them. While there was much laughter through the service, there was also the seriousness of the celebration as Rosa Parks, individuals and the community were honored.
In his Welcome, Atmore Pro Tem Shawn Lassiter brought greetings on behalf of Mayor Jim Staff and himself. He complimented Lillie Johnson, Yellow Hats and the church for the event. “Thank you for remembering Rosa Parks and what she stood for,” Lassiter said.
Bea Forniss of Montgomery brought the Occasion. “Rosa Parks’ birthday is February 4,” she said. “We’re a little early this year, but we’re never too late. This breakfast is not about the meal or the numbers. It’s a call for us to be the best we can be … This breakfast has put us on the map…Let us not be weary. We have much to do … Rosa Parks sat down so we can stand up and run.”
The following people were also on the program: Invocation – the Rev. Kim Yarber, Little Zion Missionary Baptist Church; special music – Charles Wiggins and the Rev. Willie Hawthorne,
Greater Mt. Triumph Missionary Baptist Church, both accompanied by Herbert “Mannie” Pair III; blessing of the food – Pastor Irma Jean Wilson, Holy Community Christian Center; introduction of elected officials – Bub Gideons; city updates – Atmore Police Chief Chuck Brooks; school updates – LaTonya Gill, principal, Escambia County High School; original poem – the Rev. Gerol Paryer.
The Rev. Rodtric Robinson, First Congregational Christian Church, UCC, Montgomery, introduced the keynote speaker. Rev. Robinson was the keynote speaker at last year’s breakfast.
“He is a man who loves the Lord and his family,” Rev. Robinson said. “He loves to preach and sing. I love him because he is a loving person. He’s a good person and always tries to do the best for everyone.”
The Rev. Jamal E. Browder Sr., North Star Missionary Baptist Church, Montgomery, began with a solo – “Sit Down, Servant.” He may have encouraged “Sit down and rest a little while,” but the theme of his remarks was “Find Your Seat.”
He repeated Forniss’s comment – “Rosa Parks sat down so we could stand up.”
Rev. Browder encouraged everyone to find their seat – find their place to serve.
“When you find your seating, pay attention to where you are,” he said. “When you’re in your seat, you can’t be in nobody’s business. When you’re in your seat, you can’t occupy nobody else’s seat … All of us are challenged to find our place in our church and community.”
Referring to the Yellow Hats, he said, “What makes a person effective is where they can be effective … The question to all of us is where are you seated this morning?”
He closed by quoting Dr. Martin Luther King: If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.”
One of the highlights of the Rosa Parks Breakfast each year is the presentation of awards.
This year, awards were presented by Tovjivanese Grissett-Wilkerson.
In presenting the 2025 Trailblazer Citizen Award, she talked about the recipient’s wisdom and humor, then presented the award to Bishop Willie L. Williams, longtime pastor, now retired, Jones Street True Pentecostal Holiness Church.
The 2025 Rosa Parks Award was presented to Bea Forniss for her courage, perseverance in the community, and contributions to business. She is always part of and supportive of the Rosa Parks Breakfast. She works as Company Marketing Specialist for Goodwyn, Mills, and Cawood in Montgomery.
Each year, Alabama Representative Alan Baker presents a Certificate of Recognition from Governor Kay Ivey. This year, he presented it to Dale Ash “in honor of your exemplary work over many years.” The certificate noted her dedication to enhancing education and quality of life and her relentless efforts to improve the lives around her.
The program ended with remarks by “Grandmama” Lillie Johnson who thanked everyone for coming.
Members of The Breakfast Club who prepared a delicious breakfast, as always, are Shelia Johnson-Williams, Doris Knight, Vonda Bynum, Janice Reynolds, Randy Johnson, Toshia McCants, Tawanna Thomas.