Fraternity Brothers in Silver Spring Conceive Plan for MLK Memorial

Many people claim that inspiration strikes them while in the shower. But what about the dining room? More than a quarter-century ago, during a discussion in the dining room of a rambler on East West Highway, several members of the Iota Upsilon Lambda chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity wondered, why there were no monuments honoring blacks on the National Mall?

This idea gave birth to the plan that would become the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, who was also a member of the elite fraternity, according to a recent Washington Post story.

Many of the original brothers that met for coffee in Silver Spring in the 1980s are now in their mid-70s, some showing their age, while others have passed away.

In anticipation of the dedication, three of the surviving brothers recently convened at their meeting hall, recalling the difficult path from plan to reality and expressing their shock and amazement over the memorial’s impressive size and location.

While the monument is open to the public, postponed the planned dedication of the 30-foot high granite statue on Sunday, August 28, which will be rescheduled for sometime in September or October.