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<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; Ronald Felton presented Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.&#8217;s &#8220;I Have a Dream Speech&#8221; to those gathered for the NAACP&#8217;s annual observance of the holiday commemorating his life, but brought it home to the city of Wilkes-Barre.</p><p>Felton, 1st vice president of the organization, told attendees that he had a dream that little black boys and girls in the Wilkes-Barre Area School District would learn together, taught by teachers of diversity.</p><p>Responding to the city&#8217;s failure to officially observe the holiday, he told attendees that he had a dream that the city of Wilkes-Barre would observe Martin Luther King Day as an official holiday, giving employees the day off to fully celebrate.</p><p>Felton recalled the day in 1963 when, getting home from school, he headed to the refrigerator for an afternoon snack, and King&#8217;s booming voice from the television stopped him in his tracks as he presented his speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.</p><p>It was on that day that Felton said he began to understand King&#8217;s dream of equality and justice.</p><p>At the conclusion of the speech, the audience of about 100 people applauded enthusiastically.</p><p>Francis Curry, Luzerne County Community College board member and an executive board member of the NAACP, said the spirit of the event was something that permeated the college and the community the entire year.</p><p>The college, Curry said, was the only institution of higher learning in the area that had a student chapter of the NAACP.</p><p>The college&#8217;s president, Tom Leary, said the college takes every opportunity to promote justice and equality.</p><p>Leary referred to the recent &#8220;culture of kindness&#8221; effort.</p><p>&#8220;You just have to open a door, be kind to everyone,&#8221; he said. &#8220;Kindness has a ripple effect.&#8221;</p><p>The event also noted the organization&#8217;s annual installation of officers, with Mayor Tony George swearing in the them in to office.</p><p>George also took the opportunity to encourage understanding and tolerance.</p><p>People fail to get along, he said, because they don&#8217;t understand each other.</p><p>Larry Singleton, former president of the organization, encouraged those gathered to live a life of service.</p><p>Quoting King, he said, &#8220;If you want to be great &#8212; wonderful. But recognize that he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. That&#8217;s a new definition of greatness.&#8221;</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tony George installs the officers and executive committee members of the Wilkes-Barre NAACP Branch 2306 during a Martin Luther King Jr., program at Wilkes University on Friday night. From left: Executive Committee members Peggy Felton and Flora Jenkins, Treasurer David Barber, Secretary Erika Petrole, First Vice President Ronald Felton and President Guerline Lauore. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_TTL011417NAACP_1.jpg</photo0><caption0>Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tony George installs the officers and executive committee members of the Wilkes-Barre NAACP Branch 2306 during a Martin Luther King Jr., program at Wilkes University on Friday night. From left: Executive Committee members Peggy Felton and Flora Jenkins, Treasurer David Barber, Secretary Erika Petrole, First Vice President Ronald Felton and President Guerline Lauore. </caption0><photoCredit0>Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader </photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_TTL011417NAACP_2.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Laurore talks to the media about her plans as president before the program. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_TTL011417NAACP_2.jpg</photo1><caption1>Laurore talks to the media about her plans as president before the program. </caption1><photoCredit1>Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader </photoCredit1></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_TTL011417NAACP_3.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Wilkes-Barre NAACP Branch #2306 First Vice President Ronald Felton listens to a presentation during a Martin Luther King, Jr., program at Wilkes University on Friday night. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo2>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_TTL011417NAACP_3.jpg</photo2><caption2>Wilkes-Barre NAACP Branch #2306 First Vice President Ronald Felton listens to a presentation during a Martin Luther King, Jr., program at Wilkes University on Friday night. </caption2><photoCredit2>Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader </photoCredit2></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Geri Gibbons</p><p>ggibbons@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><factboxMeta><p><strong>WB NAACP OFFICERS</strong></p><p>President: Guerline Lauore</p><p>First Vice President: Ronald Felton</p><p>Secretary: Erika Petrole</p><p>Treasurer: David Barber</p><p>Executive committee members: Peggy Felton, Flora Jenkins and Andita Parker-Lloyd</p></factboxMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Geri Gibbons at 570-991-6117 or on Twitter @TLGGibbons.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Local NAACP celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day, installs officers