Michigan speaker specializes in “I Have a Dream” speech

Editor’s Note: Firstline administrator Shirley Johnson, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services at Kentwood Public Schools, made us aware of this resource, which we thought schools might find helpful as Black History Month approaches.

When Marvin Blanks walks onto the stage, he takes on the voice and mannerism of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the man Mr. Blanks said he was born to imitate. Called by some “the Orator of the Century,” Blanks learned the famous speech after listening to the speech on a 45 record produced by Berry Gordy he purchased in a record store in South Haven, Mich. “I knew I wanted the record, so I bought it instead of the James Brown or Aretha Franklin I was hoping for,” Blanks writes on his web site. “That day I went home and played it over and over and over again. … I was intrigued by the message so much until I couldn’t get enough of hearing it. Slowly but surely, Blanks began mimicking Dr. King. Adapting his voice to the rhythm of the speech - with all the peaks and all the valleys and twists in Dr. King’s voice.

Currently an entrepreneur, motivational speaker, trainer, and consultant, Blanks specializes in MLK Day Celebrations, Black History Month Events as well as keynote speeches and training workshops. You can learn more at www.MarvinBlanksSpeaks.com.