I HAVE THE HONOR OF GIVING THE INVOCATION

is the advancement director at the San Diego Alliance and lives in San Carlos.

The 34th annual All Peoples Celebration on Monday is an invitation and a moment to reflect on the teachings of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at a time when our spirit and our patience may be running low.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our communities is devastating. At times, there doesn’t seem to be any hope on the horizon. But we can choose to start the next leg of our human journey by rising together and walking towards a future filled with hope.

I have the honor of delivering the invocation at the All Peoples Celebration this year and want to share a few thoughts about Dr. King’s legacy and how it inspires the theme of “Love + Power.”

The theme of “Love + Power” resonates with me because it appeals to my faith and belief in loving God first. He loves us and allows His love to flow through us so that we love other people. That is the blueprint for mercy.

He has chosen us all to be agents of mercy in the world. Giving and receiving mercy helps us start uncomfortable conversations that lead to change. Dr. King recognized that God is love and our connection to that love gives us divine power. We are all witnesses to the love and power that creates change once we lower our guard to “see” others around us and prepare for tough conversations.

In these times, we have lost the ability to talk with one

is the senior pastor of the Bayview Church of San Diego, the largest predominantly African American congregation in the city. He lives in Southeast San Diego. is chair of Black Men & Women United. She lives in Encanto.