"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?" - Martin Luther King Jr.
HISTORY OF LIVING THE DREAM, INC.
The Original LTD Committee. (Seated L-R) Jacqueline Bugg, Pauline Barker. (Standing L-R) Pam Waugh, Janice Logan, Hazel Gomez, Robert Bugg, Barrett Hatches, Ann Hatches, Mary Knatt. Picture taken at 1st Annual M.L.K. Banquet held at the Governor's Mansion, "Cedar Crest" January 1986.
Living the Dream, Inc., began in 1985 when Robert Bugg, a noted leader in the community, called together a group of people from all walks of life, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, to plan an event to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The goals of Living the Dream, Inc., are to enhance Dr. King’s philosophy of nonviolence throughout the year, to recognize and teach human understanding, and to promote academic excellence. Toward these goals, Living the Dream, Inc., provides scholarships to students that meet scholastic requirements set forth by the Living the Dream Board.
Annually, in honor of Dr. King, Living the Dream, Inc., recognizes individuals, organizations, and corporations for their outstanding contributions to the Topeka and Shawnee County community. Emphasis is placed on acknowledging those who often go unnoticed.
Since 1985, the Board has sponsored an annual black-tie gala in honor of Dr. King. In 1988, the first Celebrity Fashion Show was held.
The year of 2002 was a breakthrough for the Topeka community and the Living the Dream, Inc.’s Board. Thirty corporations, businesses, schools, and organizations joined forces and the Living the Dream Business Partners Board was formed. The two boards have worked together in conjunction and now a nine-day celebration is held in the name of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
In 2007 the Living the Dream Foundation of Kansas was established.