Garden of Dreams foundation

On Tuesday, January 20, the New York Knicks and Garden of Dreams hosted “A Celebration of Change” at Planet Hollywood in Times Square.

Knicks players Chris Duhon, Jared Jeffries and Malik Rose, Knicks alumnus Cal Ramsey, and Warner Bros. recording artist Robert Randolph, joined 30 children from Harlem Dowling to commemorate the Presidential Inauguration of Barack Obama, and celebrate the life and messages of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

To kick-off the celebration, the children and special guests viewed a video of speeches given by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and President Obama. Emotions spread throughout the room as all attention focused on the speeches; outbursts of cheering supported the messages conveyed.

After the video, children and celebrities broke into groups to discuss their personal views on the importance of change, and the growth of our country over the past several decades. Through his family, Jared Jeffries experienced the incredible change inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and carried on by President Obama.

“My great-grandfather could remember the last parts of slavery, so in three generations we’ve gone from slaves to the President of the greatest country… it shows you that anything is possible,” Jeffries shared.

Cal Ramsey gained the children’s attention as he spoke about dealing with segregation growing up, and in the NBA. In 1963, Ramsey and his friend, Wilt Chamberlain, joined the crowds at the National Mall in Washington to hear Martin Luther King’s famous “I Have A Dream” speech. Living through the trials and tribulations of “change”, Ramsey offered a special reflection and great appreciation of America’s first African-American leader, President Obama.

Inspired by the day, the children, players and special guests created and presented their own “Pledge to Change" project. The children came up with various ideas and ways to create change in their own communities, including getting peers involved in afterschool activities, staying in school, and preventing violence.

From the youngsters of Harlem Dowling, to the well-versed Cal Ramsey, the historic moments and lessons of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and President Obama have positively affected everyone.

“When we were young, they said you could be anything you want to be, and they said you could be President… Now when they say that, you have an example to look after,” expressed the Knicks' Chris Duhon.

To cap-off the heartening night, the celebrities joined the children for dinner donated by Planet Hollywood, and received New York Knicks gift bags and a copy of Robert Randolph’s latest CD, “Colorblind.”