Famous MLK 'I Have a Dream’ speech almost didn’t happen, scholar says

“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal.” — Martin Luther King Jr.

American civil rights activist and Baptist minister Martin Luther King Jr.’s address, forever known for the “I Have a Dream” speech, almost never happened, said motivational speaker Art Broady of Tri-Cities.

With vocals by fellow Tri-Cities resident and gospel soloist Daphne Jackson, Broady will be in Walla Walla for a fundraiser where he will give a free multi-media talk about the little-known way that speech unfolded.

Broady’s free presentation, "The Dream … We Almost Never Heard," will be at noon Sunday, March 16, at First Congregational Church, 73 S. Palouse St.

A freewill offering taken at the door will benefit the FCC community soup lunch program that’s offered two days per week.

“Daphne, Carol Barnard and I have a twofold mission: to educate, inform and honor the work, service and sacrifice of Dr. King. The mission includes raising the highest level of donations possible to support the church’s community soup lunch program,” Broady said.

Broady has spoken to area and regional audiences about how the "dream" dialog came about.

“It is historic not only for its message of equality but because it inspired the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964,” said Broady, a Vietnam-era U.S. Air Force veteran and Hanford retiree.

“But did you know that those notable words — the part of the speech we all remember for the ‘dream’ — were neither scripted nor planned?

“When Dr. King departed from his notes and described his dream for America, the speech immediately became one of the most influential orations in our nation’s history,” Broady said.

On Aug. 28, 1963, MLK stood in the shadow of the Lincoln Memorial statue on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The crowd, estimated at more than 260,000 people from across the nation, had participated in the historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.

King had his speech mapped out. Then famed gospel vocalist Mahalia Jackson whispered, “Martin, tell them about your dream.”

It’s not what MLK planned, Broady said.

MLK’s message is about brotherhood, freedom and justice, content of character and striving for a better America.

Broady is sharing the story with hopes of renewing and refreshing the significance in MLK’s speech.

“(It) is intended to remind us that the journey has not ended, and the message is not dead,” Broady said.

Broady, Jackson and Barnard have made the presentation several times in Tri-Cities recently and Broady also spoke Jan. 16 virtually to an audience at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond.

"What a glorious way to celebrate the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. My sister and I, along with friends, attended the dramatic presentation of Dr. King’s ‘I Have A Dream’ speech by Art and Daphne on Jan. 18. Two sacred voices uplifted and moved us. Outstanding,” said audience member G. Moulthrop.

Another attendee wrote that Broady “brings out profound emotions in his audiences.”

Broady said he has been influenced by the teachings and principles MLK lived and died for.

Broady is well known within the Tri-Cities and throughout the Northwest as an active 25-year member of Tri-Cities Industry Kiwanis Club, as former president of the Pasco School Board and for his activities in Shriners, United Way and a variety of community service initiatives.

Born in Marion, Virginia, he grew up in Southwest Virginia near the Tennessee border, attended Douglass High School in Bristol, Virginia, and graduated from Marion Senior High.

Enrolling in Emory (Virginia) & Henry College in 1966 with the class of 1970, he was the first Black male student to enroll there full time and the first Black person to don the EHC blue and gold football uniform.

“My football career was far more notable than my academic accomplishments,” he said.

He was drafted into the military during the Vietnam War, almost 6 months into teaching elementary school in Prince George’s County, Maryland.

“I joined the U.S. Air Force to serve my time since I lost four high school friends serving while I was safely tucked away in college,” Broady said.

After Air Force duties in Texas, Mississippi, Montana and Alaska, he was honorably discharged in December 1974 in Anchorage and in 1978 moved to Pasco.

He served in personnel with the Air Force and then worked in various posts, including in human resources, government contracting and as a skills center director.

He served eight years on his alma mater EHU’s Board of Trustees. He’s received various recognitions, including the EHU Humanitarian Award for leadership and for his devotion to English education efforts undertaken in Costa Rica.