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COLUMBIA, MO. -- Some people in Columbia began a new tradition for Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday.

Organizers called it “Manifesting the Dream”.

While Columbia’s older generation remembered Dr. King with spirituals at the Second Baptist Church, the younger generation was down the street at the Fifth Street Christian Church celebrating Dr. King’s life with rap music.  Brian Partridge was a gang member for 15 years.  Today, he calls himself SaltieMT5:13 and sings Christian rap songs.

Partridge said, “Today’s youth love hip-hop.  They like that rock and roll and that techno.  People are able to connect this genre of music of today.”

Speakers at the event included former gang members, drug addicts and ex-prisoners.  Duane Crowley was a drug addict for 24 years.  Crowley ministers to teenagers these days.  Crowley helped organize the new Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration and hopes to make it an annual event.

Crowley said, “The message doesn’t change.  The beat does, but the message doesn’t.  We believe, because of the times, that everyone is coming together.  It’s about hip-hop.  It’s about the culture today.”

“Manifesting the Dream” celebrated the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. through a younger perspective, but was enjoyed by people of all ages.

Organizers of the event say just like Dr. King did years ago, they are changing with the times.  Today, change includes rap music, but unlike gangster rap, Christian rap includes Dr. King’s message of hope.

Door prizes at the free event included gift cards from Wal-Mart and McDonalds.

Bambino’s Italian Café provided a free lunch.