62.4 F
Memphis
Friday, March 29, 2024

Buy now

spot_img

The tradition of honoring Dr. King rolls on

The Tennessee Progressive National Baptist Convention on Monday continued its tradition of saluting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in conjunction with the annual celebration of his birthday.

The celebration was held at Monumental Baptist Church, 704 South Parkway East,  where the Rev. Wade Bryant is pastor.

Dr. King was born on Jan. 15, 1929. He was assassinated on April 4, 1968 while standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel, which now is the anchor of the National Civil Rights Museum.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which was observed on Monday, was first observed in 1986 and wasn’t celebrated in every state until 2000. The Congressional Black Caucus collected six million signatures to help it become a federal holiday.

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic affected this year’s observation, with many traditional observances going virtual or making safety protocol adjustments for in-person tributes. At the National Civil Rights Museum, which was closed on Monday, a livestream event showcased Dr. King’s work, how the national holiday came to be and how the museum has celebrated the holiday through the years.

Union Valley Baptist Church, 1051 McLemore Ave., was the venue (January 10) as Citizens For Better Service presented the 28th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Award Program for Outstanding Students/Community Role Models in Honor of State Rep. Barbara Cooper. Pictured (l-r): Dr. Kenny Brewer, Minister Johnny Culp, the Rev. Dr. H.O. Kneeland, Memphis Theological Seminary President Jody Hill (the guest speaker), and the Rev. David Gaulmon. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

At Monumental, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday committee honored the late Dr. Miriam DeCosta-Willis, who died January 7 at 86. A beloved educator, historian and author, she was the first African-American faculty member at Memphis State University (1966). Rep. G.A. Hardaway accepted the honor on behalf of the family.

Deborah Manning Thomas, a fixture at local observations of Dr. King’s legacy, shared her vocal prowess at the celebration at Monumental Baptist Church on Monday. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

 

 

Related Articles

Stay Connected

21,507FansLike
2,634FollowersFollow
17,200SubscribersSubscribe
- Advertisement -spot_img

Latest Articles