The MLK Celebration Committee Presents the Southeastern North Carolina’s Tribute to Dr. Martin Luthe

by Kathy Grear 01/14/2015

Friday January 16, 2015 – Tuesday January 20, 2015

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Description:

Week Long MLK Celebration events and activities in Wilmington, NC January 16 – 20, 2015

Wilmington, NC – The MLK Celebration Committee presents the 13^th Annual Southeastern North Carolina’s Celebration and Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr January 12-20, 2015 in Wilmington, NC.  Each year the committee schedules several events leading to the MLK Holiday held the third Monday of January and culminating with the MLK Parade. 

This year the MLK parade route will proceed from Hanover and 3^rd Street (in front of the Wilma Daniels Art Gallery), travel South on 3^rd to Princess Street, ending at 4^th and Brunswick Streets.  Please see attached map of parade route.  Scheduled events and activities will begin on Monday January 12th with a Press Conference at 11am at the William E. Murphy Sports Complex.  Monday evening there will be a Meet-n-Greet and kick-off reception at 6pm with the Wilmington Minority Networking group at Theater NOW.  This year the celebration committee will host an MLK Gospel Competition Tuesday January 13^th at Williston Middle School in the auditorium, a night of theater on Thursday at the Red Barn Theater at 7pm with a production of The Mountain Top, and the Annual MLK Banquet will be Friday January 16^th at the CFCC Union Station at 6:30pm.  Saturday will be an event filled day, starting with the Annual NAACP/MLK Breakfast at 9:00am in the Warwick Center at University of North Carolina Wilmington and Kids Fun Day from 11am-4pm at the William E. Murphy Sports Complex.  A detailed listing of all events is included on page two.

Returning again this year, FPJ Consulting in partnership with the MLK Committee will present the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Experience College Fair and Battle of the Bands.  After a huge success, the sold out event last year at Williston Middle School will move to the CFCC Schwartz Center Sunday January 19^th at 4pm to accommodate a larger audience.

The actions of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) brought about significant changes in the lives of all Americans. Therefore the MLK Celebration Committee, representing the Greater Wilmington area and Southeastern North Carolina, seek to pay homage to an American hero through educational seminars, religious events, art and culture events, displays and social gatherings which enhance the quality of life in our communities.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is a national hero, and his birthday is an opportunity to bring people together and help everyone again understand the context and history surrounding his life from the perspective of Southeastern North Carolina. It is the hope of the MLK Committee to be able to build from this week of events to other events which allow us to more fully commemorate additional important figures and events in African American history in this area.  Details for scheduled events are below:

Martin Luther King, Jr. Banquet –  6:30pm on Friday January 16^th at CFCC Union Station 502 North Front Street.  The guest speaker is NC State Gubernatorial Candidate, Honorable Kenneth Spaulding. Dinner will be provided, live jazz, and a silent auction. Tickets are $60.00

N.A.A.C.P./MLK Breakfast – 9am Saturday January 17^th in the UNCW Warwick Center at the University of NC at Wilmington’s main campus. Guest speaker is Rev. Ben Chavis.  Tickets are $25.

Kids Fun Day – 11am-4pm Saturday January 17^th William E. Murphy Sports Complex 401 S. 8^th Street (inside). Presented by the Wilmington Parks and Recreation Department. There will be fun, games, face painting exhibits, and refreshments available for all ages.

The Ecumenical Service – 4:30pm Sunday January 18^th at B’Nai Israel Synagogue Temple located at Chestnut and 25^th Street and hosted by the Ministerial Roundtable. The guest speaker is Rev. Dr. Wayne Johnson, Sr. from St. Stephen A.M.E Church

Historically Black College & University (HBCU) Experience – 4pm Sunday January 18^th at CFCC Schwartz Center 601 N. Front Street in downtown Wilmington. This year they will feature the Elizabeth City State University Marching Band and NC Central University Marching Band.  Sponsored by FPJ Consulting and the MLK Celebration Committee. Tickets are $10.00 in advance.

The MLK, Jr. Parade – Monday January 19^th at 11am Historic Downtown Wilmington, NC.  Parade participation information will be issued in the Schwartz Center lobby.

For details and route information visit:

http://www.mlkjrcelebration-senc10.com/schedule.htm

UNCW 2015 MLK Celebration – 7pm Tuesday January 20 at Kenan Auditorium on the campus of UNC-Wilmington, keynote speaker is Angela Davis.

For more information contact Hollis Briggs at:

PHONE: 910-763-4138

FAX:       910-343-1862

POST MAIL:  P.O. BOX 1271 WILMINGTON, NC 28402

2015 Sponsors:  State Farm Insurance, Verizon Wireless, Rex and Sons R/V, Church’s Chicken, Wilmington Police Dept., New Hanover County Sheriff Dept., Roger Bacon Academy( Fredrick Douglas Academy), New Hanover Regional Medical Center, and Alpha Graphics.

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