The Spectator The independent student newspaper of Valdosta State University
VSU will hold its Martin Luther King Jr. commemoration celebration tomorrow at 7 p.m. in the UC Magnolia Room.
The keynote speaker for the event will be Bakari T. Sellers of the South Carolina House of Representatives.
Some may argue that since the civil rights era has long been over, younger members of the community might fail to see the importance in celebrating Dr. King’s legacy.
“Even though most of the students here weren’t even born yet, we as Americans can still appreciate the work Dr. King did to change this nation,” Hannah Calhoun, VSU student, said.
The Valdosta-Lowndes County Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Association will host their 21st commemoration program at 3 p.m. on Sunday at the St. Paul A.M.E. Church in downtown Valdosta.
This is the second event in continuation of a month-long celebration. The program was designed to commemorate the achievements of one of the most influential individuals in American History.
Rev. Bernard Robinson, pastor of the Greater Pleasant Temple Missionary Baptist Church, will serve as the keynote speaker for the program.
The theme for the event is “a view from the mountains, greater success, greater accomplishments, and greater opportunities,” a theme that resonates with the ideals of Dr. King.
Following the speech from Rev. Robinson, a march is set to take place from the church to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park where several of Dr. King’s inspirational quotes are displayed for public enjoyment.
According to Dr. Samuel Clemens, a committee member, this program serves as an excellent way to pay homage to Dr. King Jr.
“This program and food drive is our way of keeping Dr. King’s dream alive,” he said.
On Jan. 15, the Valdosta-Lowndes County Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Association held a program for the youth in the Mathis City Auditorium at 11 a.m. The keynote speaker was Brandon McCrae. During the event, children from the Valdosta community performed original music, poetry and dance and step numbers. The event served a dual purpose of giving the youth a creative outlet as well as collecting canned food for those in need.
The Valdosta-Lowndes County Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Association held a banquet on Jan. 5 in which pivotal community members met. Dr. Perry Simon served as the keynote speaker.
