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QUINCY, IL -- Dr. Martin Luther King sought to forge the common ground between all walks of life, hoping people would set aside their differences and come together. Thirty-nine years after Dr. King's death, his message is still being carried.  Leaders and members of the community, black and white gathered together to remember the man who had a dream.  They celebrated through song and dance for a common purpose.

"Dr. King was such a great resemblance of the civil rights movement, and since his birthday has become a federal holiday it's good for us to celebrate and remember the accomplishments and the things other people went through, their struggles during the 1950s and 60s to make sure that everyone had equal rights and equal justice," said president of the Quincy NAACP, Annice Mallory.

This year's theme is "the journey is far from over, but the struggles continue," which prompts leaders and members of the community to fight for change.

"A lot of things have come a long way for all races, but of course nothing is perfect in life. So I'm sure there's much to be done. I'm sure there will always be work to do, but as long as we make progress, even one step, then that's great," said Candy Scott.

Leaders use this event not only to celebrate Dr. King, but it's also an eye opener to the people in the community about an evil that still persists in today's society.

 "We hope that this celebration open's up people eyes, that discrimination and racism still exists. It's not blatent, but it still exists. I think people who have not been discriminated against need to be aware that discrimination still exists," said Annice Mallory.

A lot has changed over the past three decades but society still has a long way to go. With community education programs along with strong leaders, perhaps, change will soon come and people will truly be judged for the content of their character and not the color of their skin.

Martin Luther King Day falls on his actual birthday.  He would have been 78 years old.