It's been nearly 50 years since the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. made his 'I Have a Dream' speech from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. But for many inside this church, King's words ring as true today as they did then.

"A lot of people in life stop dreaming. So if you can dream, it can become a reality," says Hinton Battles event honoree.

And part of King's dream was realized today. As young and old. Black and white gathered inside the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Tallahassee, Sunday to pay tribute to his legacy and work as a civil rights activist. It's a tribute the Inter-Civic Council of the Southern Christian Leadership Council of Tallahassee's has done for 42 years.

Today, it's honoring various community leaders like former state senator Al Lawson, for his work, with a life-time achievement award.

"For colleagues within the community to give you this award, it's really a great honor," says Lawson.

For many in attendance, it was a chance to reflect on King's works and their meaning.

"To become brotherly, love and to try and make the work a better place," says William Foutz Jr, event speaker.

Martin Luther King Day has been recognized as a federal holiday since 1986. It's observed on the third Monday in January each year.