The Richmond County Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Foundation Committee met recently at the Leak Street Educational and Cultural Center to finalize its plans for the upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday. Shown front row, from left, are Rudolph Goodwin, Rev. James Smith Jr., J.C. Watkins, Brendolyn Moore, Frankie Leach and Christine McCain. Second row, from left, Evonne Moore, Gracie Jackson, Mary Patterson, Rev. Dora Dorsey, Angeline David, Barbara Stroman, Sabrina McDonald, Annie Buie, and Ruth Watkins. Back row, from left, are Bill Blackwell and Curtis Ingram. Not shown are Kimberly Harrington, Brian David, Rev. Johnny McCullers, Macie McQueen, Mable Gatewood, Ronald Tillman, Vanessa Tillman, Eva Ingram, James Clemmons and Bruce Stanback.
The Richmond County Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Foundation Committee announces its lineup of events to celebrate the life and contributions of the slain civil rights leader.
Under the 2010 theme, “His Dream … Unfinished Business,” this year’s celebration kicks off with the MLK Gala, a semi-formal dance at the East Hamlet Community Center on Fifth Street in Hamlet. The dance begins at 9 p.m. Jan. 15, and will feature Deejay Leon Gatewood. The cost is $10 and admission can be paid at the door.
The observance continues Jan. 16, at 9 a.m. with a prayer breakfast at FirstHealth Richmond Memorial Hospital.
One significant change from prior years is the Evening Extravaganza. This youth talent show is usually held on the evening of the actual Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday. This year, the program will be held on Jan. 16, at 7 p.m. at the Leak Street Educational and Cultural Center.
Six groups have confirmed participation, but any other youth groups or young person wanting to show off their talents can call Angeline David, extravaganza chairperson, at 582-1866.
On Jan. 17, the traditional Ecumenical Service will begin at 7 p.m. at Cobb Memorial Baptist Church, located at 108 Safie Safie Sixth St. in Rockingham. The speaker will be the Rev. Ray Brooks, pastor of Zion Trinity United Methodist Church. Music will be provided by the Martin Luther King Jr./J.C. Watkins Ensemble, under the direction of Hermena Bostick.
The official Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday, Jan. 18, kicks off at 10 a.m. with a commemorative parade in Rockingham. Participants should assemble at the Leath Memorial Library at 9:30 a.m. for lineup assignments. The march will begin at the corner of East Washington Street and Rockingham Road and proceed to the Richmond County Courthouse for a brief program.
Civic, social and church groups are invited to participate in the march. To sign up, call Brian David, parade chairperson, at 417-8645.
Following the parade will be the MLK Luncheon, to be held at the Waymon Chapel Faith Center, located on Osborne Road in Hamlet. The speaker will be Marchelle Adams-David, Hamlet city manager.
Tickets are $12. Capacity is almost sold out. For tickets, call J.C. Watkins, Celebration Foundation Committee chairperson, at 895-5792.
In order to bridge the cultural divide, the committee sets forth to integrate all of these events, particularly the ecumenical service. If the program is held at a predominantly white church, the speaker is of a different race, and vice versa.
Richmond County students will again participate in the annual MLK essay and poster contest. The posters will be on exhibit at the Leath Memorial Library Jan. 16-19. The essay winners will be announced at the MLK luncheon.
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