HORACE LANGFORD JR. / PVT Visitors to the Pahrump Nugget enjoy a breakfast celebrating Martin Luther King Jr.'s life just 24 hours before Barack Obama was sworn in as the nation's first-ever African-American president. MARK WAITE / PVT Celebrants make the most of post-inaugural festivities at K-7 Pizza and International Cuisine on Hafen Ranch Road Tuesday evening. Advertisement

While the crowd of almost 200 at the 7th Annual All People's Breakfast came to honor the late Martin Luther King Jr. at the celebration of his birthday Monday morning, they were just as excited about the inauguration of America's first black president, Barack Obama, the next day.

"Obama opened the door for us to let us see that any woman, any man, can be the president of the United States," Shell Carter said in her keynote speech at the Pahrump Nugget Casino.

"Martin Luther King was an example and a hope for our new future. We got hope in the future and that hope starts right here with you and me. We got to learn how to come together as a whole people and not as a color."

The Rev. Stan Goldsby Sr., pastor of the Church of the Redeemed, said "This year we will witness the inauguration of an African-American as president of the United States. I do believe many of us never thought we would see this day when an African-American would lead this country, but this is a sign of new things that God is doing."

Goldsby called it "a historic, landmark event" when Obama defeated Republican John McCain by over 8 million votes to become the 44th president.

"The election of the first African-American to the highest office in the country marks a major social and political milestone for the United States. Christians however, see his election not only as a symbol of the maturing of American political consciousness, but an affirmation of our faith and resassurance that even when we cannot see a way, God has a plan," Goldsby said.

The election of Obama in a country whose history and foundation were built on the enslavement of Africans demonstrates the faithfulness of God, he said.

Allen recalled how King was ridiculed, beaten up, put in jail, but all along he kept serving God. In a speech reminisicent of a rousing, Sunday sermon, she told of the troubles to be overcome.

"We are living through the 21st Century. We see the new hope coming to life. We see integration going on. We see love being spread. We're seeing people open doors, but one thing we're doing, we're losing our young people and we're losing them to this world and it's our fault because we are not doing our job," Allen said.

Women need to be trained not to be streetwomen, men need to step up and be fathers, she said.

In some consolation in these hard, economic times, Allen said, "You can overcome any obstacle that's put before you. I don't care how big, how small. Some of you all are losing your house, some of you are losing your jobs, some of you are losing your kids. Don't you know God can bring it all back to you? There is nothing in this world God cannot do if you learn to trust him."

Event organizers lauded the best turnout in the seven-year history of the event, despite the poor economic times. All of the funds collected go towards scholarships.

The MLK choir sang for the audience. The Pahrump Valley High School ROTC presented the colors. The Pahrump Valley High School Jazz Band and the Brides of Christ Praise Dancers performed. Vernel Brooks read an excerpt from King's famous "I Have a Dream" speech. Cathy Smith performed a modern spiritual dance.

Master of ceremonies Ivan Reid said afterwards Obama's inauguration was definitely on many people's minds at the breakfast.

"It's not that a black man is president, it's that anyone can be president and we proved it as a country. People can come together and have the right to move their government forward in the direction that they desire, for a change that will benefit us and now it's time for all of us to get together to galvanize and energize and go ahead and solve some of the issues and make it a better place for everybody."