By D. Kevin McNeir
Special to the AFRO
Native Washingtonian Sharon Pratt, the first female leader of the District of Columbia (1991-1995) and the first Black woman to serve as mayor of a major urban city, spoke not as a politician but– in her own words– “as a grandmother” during a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. prayer brunch in Prince George’s County, Md.
“I am not sure how equipped I am to give – as the program planners requested – a ‘clarion call’ on ways to eradicate the obstacles that hinder justice in America, but I can tell you what we’ve done in the past and what has proven most effective,” Pratt said.
Pratt served as the keynote speaker for the Greater Washington Urban League Guild’s prayer brunch, held on the MLK holiday on Jan. 20. The event was held at The Hotel at The University of Maryland in College Park, Md.
Pratt, 80, assumed the role of an African griot at the event, relying on her skills as a storyteller and chronicler of history, which she undoubtedly honed while matriculating at Howard University’s School of Law. She noted the contradictions and ironies faced by Blacks in a country founded on tenets of democracy that include individual rights and equality.
“It’s ironic that while we are here today to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., there’s another celebration going on in the District because of the successful election of a man, Donald Trump, who wants to be king,” she said. “It’s also ironic that when America celebrates its 250th birthday in 2026, Trump will still be in the White House.”
“I want today’s youth to understand that those most responsible for affirming and fighting to protect and advance the basic tenets of American democracy first conceived by the Founding Fathers were us and our ancestors – African Americans.”
Pratt emphasized the importance of “We the People,” which is found in the opening phrase of the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution.
“In its infancy, America was viewed by other nations as a unique country,” she said. “We rebelled against the system and the laws of King George of England and knew that in signing the Declaration of Independence that our leaders had committed an act of treason. Miraculously, we won.
“There were more Blacks than just Crispus Attucks, who sacrificed their lives for this country in the founding of America. And Blacks have continued to willingly go to the frontline on behalf of a country that has yet to keep its word to us. More than 200,000 Black soldiers fought in the Civil War, most of them for the North. And again, Blacks helped push America to victory during two World Wars.”
Pratt said Americans are in another turbulent moment in history, but she remains optimistic.
“We’ve done it before; we can do it again. Yes, we can– yes, we will,” she said.
Pratt was joined by two other fellow graduates from Howard University School of Law: The Rev. Dr. F. Gail Anderson Holness, pastor of Adams Inspirational AME Church, located in Ft. Washington, Md., and Rushern L. Baker III, former Prince George’s County executive. Both shared comments on ways to overcome barriers to achieving justice prior to her keynote address.
As for the ongoing mission of the Greater Washington Urban League, its longtime president and CEO George H. Lambert Jr. said he and the thousands of members committed to the League are ready for the future, no matter what it brings.
“Elections are important, but they do not change our vision or our mission,” Lambert said. “We will not tap dance to join those who are now in power. But we will, as always, look for ways to engage and work with the new administration.”
Lambert added, “Life is a tapestry – one which is currently in a disjointed state. But at our best, organizations like the Greater Washington Urban League can help transform that tapestry into a masterpiece.”
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