The Bradley County NAACP will host a weekend celebration in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Holiday. The theme for the occasion is “Salute to Greatness.” It’s the goal of the organizers to ignite the spirit of service, action, and achievement, all of which were characteristics embodied by Dr. King, said officials. The weekend will be filled with inspirational singing, dancing, recitations, service and recognition.
Festivities will begin Saturday, Jan. 18, at 9 a.m., with a prayer breakfast at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. Though there is no cost for the breakfast, the NAACP is asking all attendees to bring five canned goods, which will be donated to Cleveland Emergency Shelter. The appointed speaker is Miss Shaquana Kennedy, Cleveland native, who now resides in Johnson City.
The celebration will continue Sunday, Jan. 19, with a Community Worship Service at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church beginning at 4 p.m. The speaker for the occasion will be Minister Timothy Purifory from Christian Fellowship Center in Cleveland. Rev. James Parris, pastor of Star Bethal Baptist Church in Etowah will serve as the master of ceremony.
The NAACP invites the community to join them in a day of service in honor of Dr. King on Monday, Jan. 20. Volunteers are needed to serve a hot meal at the Cleveland Emergency Shelter on Wildwood Avenue. The shelter will be open for special hours from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on the King holiday. Those in need are encouraged to partake in the meal. The Day of Service is an opportunity for high school and college students to accumulate service hours for school. Anyone interested in participating is asked to meet at the shelter at 9:30 a.m. for training and instruction. The project will take place from 10 am.-2 p.m.
The Bradley County NAACP in partnership with the 100 Black Men of Bradley County, the Ministerial Association and Lee University will host the Annual Dream Keeper Award Ceremony at Lee University’s Conn Center on Monday, Jan. 20, at 6 p.m. The speaker will be Martina Harris, director of Nursing at Chattanooga State Community College. Music will be provided by the Lee University Evangelistic Singers. The Dream Keeper awards recipients are minority students in the city and county school systems who have maintained a 3.0 grade point average or above in grades 7 through 12 throughout the first semester of school.
For more information about the M. L. King Weekend Celebration, call RaSharon King at 987-3356 or Demetrius Ramsey at 544-3387.