WE PAUSE TO REMEMBER THE MAN & HIS VISION ON MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY 2026
By Chuck Gibson (With special thanks to Michael Sharpe and the Sharpe Family)
LOVELAND, OH (January 19 ,2026) – History tells us about a great man who shared his dream of a truly free and equal nation where all people of all races and ethnicities would live together, stand side-by-side and live equally.
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Historic Archive Photo)
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was gunned down by an assassin’s bullet – his life cut too short. His words, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s “I Have a Dream” speech live on. Those words are more than just words to the black people living here in America, still striving to find that promised land Dr. King spoke of, they are a powerful inspiration and reminder for them of a dream still unrealized
Michael Sharpe lives every single day with the reality of being a black man in America. He is a respected attorney in the city of Detroit, Michigan. His parents were well-educated and raised Michael and his siblings in the Grosse Pointe suburb of Detroit. Michael was taught the value of education, and respect from his parents. The Sharpe family also taught their children the tough lesson to be vigilant about remaining safe in a world where being black too often brings undue injustices.
“There is not a day that goes by when I am not reminded that I am a black man in America,” said Sharpe. “We still have a long way to go.”
Martin Luther King Jr. addressing an audience in the 1960’s (File photo)
It is an honor to count Michael Sharpe as a friend and to hear his personal accounts of life as a black man. We don’t always share stories of the difficulties of our troubled society. It has been a pleasure to learn of Michael’s younger brother, Reggie Sharpe who is a practicing surgeon and resides in the community of Grosse Pointe, Michigan. Reggie Sr. has a son, Reggie Jr. who is an accomplished athlete and student. We talk a lot about the on-field exploits of Mike’s nephew young Reggie Jr. but more than that his accomplishments as a maturing young man and student.
Reginald Sharpe Jr., now a collegiate athlete, has given the Sharpe family plenty for which to be proud with his athletic exploits on the baseball diamond. Yet, more pride arises from his maturing as a young adult with an understanding of history. Today, as we pause to remember, honor and celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Sharpe family has given me permission to share this recording of then 7 year old, first grade student of Grosse Pointe Academy Reginald Sharpe Jr. It is a powerful recitation of the “I Have a Dream” speech of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but this is delivered by 7 year old Reginald (Reggie) Sharpe Jr.
Including introduction, run time is only 5 minutes. Watch and listen to this tribute to a great man in the history of our nation. With thanks to Michael Sharpe and all the Sharpe family – especially young Reggie who is soon to be 18 years old.
