PRESS RELEASE
Commissioner Reverend Patrick Gulley serves as a Commissioner for the Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission in Arkansas’ fourth congressional district.
“Commissioner Gulley is very active, dependable and dedicated. He volunteers at programs hosted by the Commission in his district and across the state, and he is always willing to help in any way to further our outreach,” says DuShun Scarbrough, Executive Director.
Black History Month spotlight question and answer session
with Prescott Native Reverend Patrick Gulley
If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
Faithful, Positive, Creative.
What was your life like growing up as a child?
It was very interesting, I was encouraged to put and seek, God first in everything that I did or wanted to do as well as going to church every Sunday morning and Wednesday evenings. I was taught how to live off the land, meaning what and when to eat fruits, vegetables, and wild game.
What does “leaving a legacy” mean to you?
Leaving a legacy to me means that I'm leaving a positive way of living for the present and future generations. By following the pattern that Jesus Christ left as well as Dr. King and showing the people that you can accomplish anything once you put your mind to it.
If you had the opportunity to sit down with yourself when you were 16, What would you tell “you”?
I would tell myself to cherish every second and don't waste time on foolishness. Accept constructive criticism and you will be successful in life.
What is the most important advice you have ever received?
Ask for Godly wisdom because it's the most principal thing that you can have in life. Surround yourself with wise people and you will be wise because who you hang around is who you will become.
Who or what inspires you?
My Dad inspired me because he lived by the word of God daily. The Holy Bible inspires me because it's a book of truth and it encourages us that in order to make it to heaven, we have to obey it.
How can we apply Dr. Martin Luther King’s teachings to today?
We can apply his teaching today by treating humans right regardless of their skin color, and instead of just talking love to them, we should show them love every day because true love is an action word.
How does the work of the Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission impact Arkansans?
It impacts Arkansans by showing them that we will continue to live out Dr. King’s dream on a day-to-day basis. By showing love, feeding the homeless, and giving them inspiring words.
If you had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., what would you ask him?
I would ask Dr. King if he had to relive his life all over again, would you change anything? What made you express your anger toward the injustice that was going on in a positive way instead of in a negative way?
Besides Dr. Martin Luther King, is there any other person in African American history you admire?
My Dad inspired me. He instilled in me Christian values and lived it daily as well as being a person who served his community by keeping the streets clean, checking on the sick and feeding the children in the area that were less fortunate than his own kids.
As our focus is Black History Month, how do we connect the younger generation to history?
By letting young people know that they have no excuse for not being successful in this life because our ancestors lived in difficult times and they still persevered and were successful. If they believe in themselves and never doubt themselves like Dr. King never doubted, nothing will be impossible for them to achieve.
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