WBRZ - Baton Rouge

They gathered in Baton Rouge's historic Mt. Zion First Baptist Church to reflect on the life, the legacy, and the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Ironically, ministers spoke from the same pulpit King preached from in 1950s.

He came to Baton Rouge at the invitation of his longtime family friend, the Rev. T.J. Jemison.

In an interview with News 2 several years ago, Jemison said King was cool, collected and would be surprised at his current day, legendary status.

"He never thought he would have the influence on the general public he's had," said Jemison.

Jemison also said there was an energy and an electricity surrounding Mt. Zion during King's visit.

"We all felt this was a new day for us," he said.

Jemison also said King was impressed with the civil rights progress in Baton Rouge in the 1950s, in particular with the Baton Rouge bus boycott of 1954.

He said it inspired King's efforts in the more famous boycott in Montgomery, Alabama.

"I told him you just have to get the leaders to work with you, and the people are ready for improvement," said Jemison.