“The Echo in the Distance” written by Shayla Michelle, is a moving tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream shared from the Lincoln Memorial on August 28, 1963.
Millions watched as the civil rights leader delivered his hope for the future, his dream for what America could be.
Decades later, the iconic “I Have A Dream” speech has continued to transcend time. It turns 60 years old in 2023.
“Echo in the Distance” reflects on the speech, the history that followed and serves as a reminder that each individual can play a role in realizing the dream first shared in 1963.
In the words of author Shayla Michelle, “It’s not too late. Dreams can come true.
It starts with you.”
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HOW IT STARTED
Shayla was selected as the winner of Northwestern University's "Written Expression Competition" in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In 2003, she performed her original piece, "Echo In the Distance" at Pick Staiger Concert Hall. The guest speaker, Dr. Cornel West, was so impressed by her presentation that he asked if he could use the line "People are people not color-coated crimes" in one of his speeches.
The program was broadcasted via webcam and drew more than 1,000 viewers. Invitations to read the poem at other universities, churches and events followed. Shayla accepted invitations to perform at the Safer Foundation in Harvey, Illinois and DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois.
Originally told she would serve as a warm-up poet, Shayla arrived and learned she' would be able to participate in DePaul University's March Poetry Slam in 2003. Almost 100 people attended the event, featuring nearly 20 talented college students from around the country. Shayla won the competition with a score of 27.5 out of 30 and collected a 50 dollar prize for her performance of "Echo In the Distance."
Now almost 20 years later, Shayla is excited to memorialize this piece in an illustrated children's book.
Shayla was selected as the winner of Northwestern University's "Written Expression Competition" in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In 2003, she performed her original piece, "Echo In the Distance" at Pick Staiger Concert Hall. The guest speaker, Dr. Cornel West, was so impressed by her presentation that he asked if he could use the line "People are people not color-coated crimes" in one of his speeches.
The program was broadcasted via webcam and drew more than 1,000 viewers. Invitations to read the poem at other universities, churches and events followed. Shayla accepted invitations to perform at the Safer Foundation in Harvey, Illinois and DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois.
Originally told she would serve as a warm-up poet, Shayla arrived and learned she' would be able to participate in DePaul University's March Poetry Slam in 2003. Almost 100 people attended the event, featuring nearly 20 talented college students from around the country. Shayla won the competition with a score of 27.5 out of 30 and collected a 50 dollar prize for her performance of "Echo In the Distance."
Now almost 20 years later, Shayla is excited to memorialize this piece in an illustrated children's book.
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