Dr. James Perkins shared his inspirational story during his keynote address, The Chemistry of Change, during Mondays Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center in Midland. An esteemed educator and chemist, Perkins, a Midland native, spoke to a packed audience Monday about growing up in a steel town, the pitfalls of segregation and the importance of role models.

MIDLAND Esteemed educator and chemist James Perkins spoke to a packed audience Monday about growing up in a steel town, the pitfalls of segregation and the importance of role models.

Perkins addressed this chemistry of change through the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who believed in peace and diversity, during a special program in honor of the late civil rights leader.

Its like Dr. King was attempting to change the salinity of the Atlantic Ocean with an eye dropper full of fresh water, but little did we know that that eye dropper represented by his person and a small team of leaders was not an eye dropper of fresh water, Perkins said. Instead it was an iceberg the size of Greenland represented by the civil rights movement that would indeed change the salinity of the vast ocean representing our nation. The inertia of what he created is still changing every aspect of our society. The test of real change is whether or not it can be sustained.

Perkins, born and raised in Midland, said neither of his parents completed high school and had placed a premium on their childrens education. The family of eight was just one of a couple black families living in Midland Heights, where Perkins said his father created a garden in an empty lot to provide food for the family and raise additional money for other needs.

Growing up, we were materially very poor, however the wealth of our values, the values they instilled in us, was without bounds. The deep faith that I developed while attending Mt. Olive Baptist Church, and my home environment established by my mom and dad, prepared me for the substantial challenges that followed.

Perkins recalled being the lone child turned away from a public swimming pool during a scouting trip while the rest of the children, all white, were permitted to swim. He recalled being the first black varsity basketball player at Slippery Rock University, where he majored in chemistry in the 1960s, with his brother being only the second. Despite those experiences, Perkins had teachers and coaches in Midland and throughout college who looked out for him and pushed him to the limit. Having a positive educational experience early on, particularly in chemistry and physics, instilled the concept of excellence that he carried with him throughout his academic years and beyond.

The garden that my father showed me how to prepare, plant seeds and grow a variety of fruits and vegetables, prepared me to plant the seeds necessary to produce hundreds of black engineers, MDs and Ph.Ds, who will in turn serve as role models for young children and their parents, Perkins said.

Hosted by the Midland Womens Civic Club, Perkins presentation was the culmination of The Chemistry of Change, Beaver Countys official Dr. Martin Luther King Day Celebration on Monday at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center in Midland.

"Itsa great day when surrounding communities come together in unity to learn and fulfill the true meaningof life as we celebrated a great man of spiritual and moral values, said Stephanie Pennington, chairwoman of the King celebration. Dr. Perkins grew up in the Midland community during the civil rights movement and today it was inspirational to hear how Dr. King's legacy successfully impacted his life by serving young people and many institutions within our nation and beyond.

The annual day of fellowship and enlightenment benefits local hometown college-bound students through the Greater Midland Scholarship Foundation.

Perkins keynote speech wrapped up a full day, which began with a professional development session for educators earning Act 48 credits. Attendees viewed the film Hidden Figures, a biographical drama about Katherine Johnson and the female African-American mathematicians working at NASA during the space race in the 1960s.

Following a catered luncheon, inspirational music and dance performances and multi-media presentations were showcased under the direction of Lincoln Parks Resident Artists and school and community groups from across the region.

Perkins, president of Translational Technologies LLC., has a doctorate in chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh, and has served academic institutions internationally as a professor, academic administrator and consultant. An entrepreneur, his research and publications have been instrumental to organizations in the development of science, engineering and technological programs throughout the United States and Africa.

While much has been done, the road is still hard and there are many challenges because of race or gender, but do not let that stop you, he said. Remember what has been done to make your path better, and the responsibility to make the path even better for those that will follow you.

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The Chemistry of Change - The Times