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MLK program on tap for Monday
By Britney Tabor: britney_tabor@terrelltribune.com
The MLK Celebration Foundation will honor and remember the life and legacy of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with an annual observance program at 6 p.m. Monday at the Terrell ISD Performing Arts Center.
The program will showcase Terrell students in grades three through sophomores in college who have submitted art, oratory, essay and poetry entries that reflect on what King advocated while also recognizing people they view as role models in the Terrell community. Helen Holmes, MLK Celebration Foundation secretary, said the entries recognize “unsung heroes” in Terrell who, like King, have “displayed light” and have impacted lives.
“We want children to see that within their own community that there are people that they can look up to and aspire to be like,” Holmes said. “We believe it will make for a better community for us and for our children.”
About 25 students will present or display their entries Monday in five separate divisions. Contestants who placed first through third will be presented with certificates of appreciation and a certificate for a savings bond that will be put in their name ranging from $25 to $250.
This program's theme, “Only Light (Goodness), Only Love,” derives from a 1967 speech in which King stated that “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. The chain reaction of evil must be broken or we shall be plunged into the abyss of annihilation.”
The free event will feature special performances by the Furlough Middle School choir, Southwestern Christian College's Acappella Choir, the Bethlehem Baptist Church Dancers for Christ and Terrell soloist Sandra Mattox. State District Judge Michael Chitty will open the program while City Manager Torry Edwards and Radio One personality Eurro Thomas will serve as the program's hosts. Terrell Mayor Hal Richards will be on hand to present MLK Celebration Foundation president Brenda Prince with the key to the city.
The third Monday in January was declared a federal holiday in 1983 after almost 15 years of labor unions, Congress and the King Center fighting for a day that would honor the accomplishments of the civil rights leader. The holiday was observed for the first time on Jan. 20, 1986. King, who was assassinated in 1968, was born Jan. 15 and would have been 78 this year.
The MLK Celebration Foundation in Terrell was founded about two years ago by the Rev. Mark Jackson, former pastor of the St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church. The organization merged two groups - Terrell community churches and SWCC - that in previous years held separate MLK celebration programs to form one citywide event.
For more information on the program, call Holmes at (972) 524-7176 or Prince at (972) 524-8816.
The program will showcase Terrell students in grades three through sophomores in college who have submitted art, oratory, essay and poetry entries that reflect on what King advocated while also recognizing people they view as role models in the Terrell community. Helen Holmes, MLK Celebration Foundation secretary, said the entries recognize “unsung heroes” in Terrell who, like King, have “displayed light” and have impacted lives.
“We want children to see that within their own community that there are people that they can look up to and aspire to be like,” Holmes said. “We believe it will make for a better community for us and for our children.”
About 25 students will present or display their entries Monday in five separate divisions. Contestants who placed first through third will be presented with certificates of appreciation and a certificate for a savings bond that will be put in their name ranging from $25 to $250.
This program's theme, “Only Light (Goodness), Only Love,” derives from a 1967 speech in which King stated that “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. The chain reaction of evil must be broken or we shall be plunged into the abyss of annihilation.”
The free event will feature special performances by the Furlough Middle School choir, Southwestern Christian College's Acappella Choir, the Bethlehem Baptist Church Dancers for Christ and Terrell soloist Sandra Mattox. State District Judge Michael Chitty will open the program while City Manager Torry Edwards and Radio One personality Eurro Thomas will serve as the program's hosts. Terrell Mayor Hal Richards will be on hand to present MLK Celebration Foundation president Brenda Prince with the key to the city.
The third Monday in January was declared a federal holiday in 1983 after almost 15 years of labor unions, Congress and the King Center fighting for a day that would honor the accomplishments of the civil rights leader. The holiday was observed for the first time on Jan. 20, 1986. King, who was assassinated in 1968, was born Jan. 15 and would have been 78 this year.
The MLK Celebration Foundation in Terrell was founded about two years ago by the Rev. Mark Jackson, former pastor of the St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church. The organization merged two groups - Terrell community churches and SWCC - that in previous years held separate MLK celebration programs to form one citywide event.
For more information on the program, call Holmes at (972) 524-7176 or Prince at (972) 524-8816.
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