MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The My Future My Choice town hall on Friday began with a boy's rendition of "A Change Is Gonna Come." The powerful song quickly became a civil rights anthem after it was released Dec. 22, 1964.
Sam Cooke, who was shot dead 11 days after the song was released, wrote it after he and his friends were turned away from a "whites only" motel in Louisiana.
Norland Middle School's Wesley Wray performed the powerful song in Miami Gardens, before a discussion about gun violence. The destructive cycle continues to disproportionately affect African-American families in Miami-Dade.
The Local 10 News town at Miami Norland Senior High School also included a discussion with Trayvon Martin's mom, Sabrina Fulton. Her son's death five years ago helped to fuel the Black Lives Matter movement.
A few of the cast members of "Moonlight" also talked about the importance of extracurricular programs to help nurture the talent of children who are growing up in inner-city neighborhoods.
Here are the lyrics of the song Wesley performed:
[Verse 1]
I was born by the river
In a little tent
And just like the river I've been running
Ever since
[Chorus]
It's been a long time coming
But I know a change is gonna come, oh yes it will
[Verse 2]
It's been too hard living
But I'm afraid to die
Cause I don't know what's up there
Beyond the sky
[Chorus]
It's been a long time coming
But I know a change is gonna come, oh yes it will
[Verse 3]
I go to the movie
And I go downtown
Somebody keep telling me don't hang around
[Chorus]
It's been a long time coming
But I know a change is gonna come, oh yes it will
[Verse 4]
Then I go to my brother
And I say brother help me please
But he winds up knockin' me
Back down on my knees
There been times when I thought I couldn't last for long
But now I think I'm able to carry on
[Chorus]
It's been a long time coming
But I know a change is gonna come, oh yes it will