Joining in the national celebration of the iconic civil rights leader’s life and legacy while honoring the achievements of local students, the Ministers Alliance of Rhode Island on Monday hosted its 33rd annual Martin Luther King Scholarship Breakfast.

“We are investing not only in their future, but our future,” the Rev. Jabulani McCalister, vice president of the Ministers Alliance, said of the scholarship recipients, who will carry on “the torches of hope and justice and freedom.”

The gathering, held at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet in Cranston, drew an array of civic leaders, including elected officials and clergy members.

It serves as a key fundraiser for the Ministers Alliance’s higher education assistance efforts. The Rev. Dr. Sammy C. Vaughn, the group’s president, said the organization has provided a total of more than $460,000 to Rhode Island students.

A litany of speakers reflected on King’s words and achievements, and on his continued relevance.

Dr. Nancy Carriuolo, president of Rhode Island College and the event’s keynote speaker, described King as a “visionary force in changing America” and a “peaceful crusader.”

“He led people to dream about a better place, a better society, for all people,” she said.

U.S. Sen. Jack Reed said King “reminded us that the search for justice was not just a problem for certain Americans.” He called for an “engaged, open, thoughtful, human dialogue” to address issues such as community violence and inequities in the criminal justice system.

U.S. Rep. David Cicilline acknowledged the “beautiful and eloquent and very powerful” words King spoke and wrote, but said his “transformative power came as a result of the actions he led.” He focused on the importance of participation in the political process, and called on those present to “really recommit ourselves to the notion that everyone’s voice should be heard in our democracy.”

U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse struck a similar note, zeroing in on the “problem of money in politics … that wants something very different than justice.”

“As we enter this new phase of continuous struggle, we are going to need to follow the money,” he said. “Because if we don’t follow the money, we are going to end up following the money.”

Gov. Gina Raimondo said the present is a “time of challenge and struggle for too many Rhode Islanders,” and pointed to the need to address problems with the criminal justice system and expand educational and employment opportunities to underprivileged communities.

“Our job is to work together and fix that … and keep ourselves hopeful and focused on making Rhode Island a place of equal opportunity,” she said.

The governor pointed to several achievements during her tenure thus far, including an increase in the minimum wage and new educational programs.

She also spoke of her own background, and of her father, the son of an immigrant for whom the post-World War II GI Bill became a ticket to opportunity for generations.

“With every bone in my body, I want to make sure that opportunity’s available to young people today, regardless of color, or income, or ZIP code,” she said.

Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea said her mission is to “make sure Rhode Islanders are engaged and empowered,” and called on the scholarship recipients to “pay it forward.” She also pointed to participation in the political process, especially on election days, as essential.

“I need to see you there at the ballot box … We need to honor [King and his contemporaries’] legacy by being there on every single election day,” she said. “It’s that collective force that people who are in office will listen to.”

Cranston Mayor Allan Fung said while King’s accomplishments, and those since his passing, are to be celebrated, “there’s so much more work to be done.”

He also pointed to the nature of today’s civic discourse as problematic – particularly the rhetoric of some presidential candidates.

“There’s a long of anger in our society … It’s certainly not what Dr. King envisioned,” he said.

“Hateful language and hateful tone isn’t the way to make a difference. Violence isn’t the way to make a difference,” the mayor added, saying that instead “we must turn down the volume, and let’s listen to each other … work together for the common good.”

Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza and Central Falls Mayor James Diossa also addressed the gathering.

The scholarship winners include Joy Williams and Tori Gilbert of Johnson & Wales University; Sara Mays, Alicia Mays and Ambrea Allen of the University of Rhode Island; Felicia Martins of Newbury College; Jonathan Gaye of Wiley College; Dorcas Dougbe of Bay Path University; Kashmeel McKeona of Brown University; Alexander Lilly, Nmonjay Kai, and Stephen Sando of the Community College of Rhode Island; Shakena Forbes of New England Tech; Koyeawon Mendee of Northeastern University; Massa Kanneh of Rhode Island College; Marrony D. Kai of Prince George’s College; and Sherry Rivera of Charter Oak St. College.

The organization also recognized the event’s corporate sponsors, including Amica Insurance, MetLife Insurance, Delta Dental of RI, Hasbro, National Grid, and IGT.