US Rep. Cleaver speaks at MLK awards in Denver

By The AP
Friday, January 18, 2013

DENVER — Missouri congressman Emanuel Cleaver will be the keynote speaker at a Denver event recognizing businesses, people and non-profit groups who are honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The former president of the NAACP chapters in both Casper, Wyo. and Aurora, Gaurdie Banister, will receive the 7th annual Trailblazer Award during Friday’s awards luncheon.

Cleaver, a United Methodist minister, served two terms as mayor of Kansas City. He was the first African-American elected to the post.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Colorado Scholarship Coalition, which awards Martin Luther King, Jr. college scholarships to minority students.