MLK CELEBRATION Schedule
January 8th, 2024 by Joe Burgess
President, Clarissa Pace, and the executive committee announce plans for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration and Observance. The official day celebration will be held Monday, January 15, 2024, at 6 pm at the Revival Center Church of God in Christ, 311 S. Pine Street, Monticello, AR. The theme is “We Are The Dream.”
The special guest speaker for the official day event is Retired Arkansas Judge, Wendell Griffen, of Little Rock, AR. Griffen retired from the Arkansas judiciary in December 2022 after serving 12 years as judge of the 6th Judicial Circuit of Arkansas, Fifth Division, and 13 years as a judge on the Arkansas Court of Appeals. During an illustrious 25-year judicial career, Griffen was an outspoken critic of the US War in Iraq, expressed his moral objections to the death penalty, and advocated a new trial and the release of Black journalist and human rights activist Mumia Abu-Jamal.
He currently serves as pastor of New Millennium Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, and is author of three Internet blogs and another book, The Fierce Urgency of Faith.
According to President Pace, she really wanted an MLK Movement instead of just one day of observation. “My goal was to host events that would impact the entire community, as well as exemplify and emphasis the true meaning of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Movement.” Therefore, we added more events to the celebration.
The Kick-Off Event for the MLK Celebration will be held Saturday, January 6. This will be a “Day of Service.” Coordinators, NAACP membership committee, Drew County Growth and Drew County Sisters of Excellence, have planned a neighborhood cleanup in Monticello and Wilmar. From 10 a.m. to 12 noon, community members are asked to join in the cleanup. Monticello residents can meet at 10 am at Jordan Park and Wilmar resident can meet at 10 am on Johnson Street in Wilmar. Volunteers are invited to lunch from 12:30 to 1:30 pm at the Monticello Branch Library. Anyone who wishes to be involved may contact Membership Chair, Lou Lambert at 870.723.4590.
The Political Action Committee will host a “Working for A Better Arkansas” Workshop on Saturday, January 13 from 10 am until 12 noon at the VFW Hut. Will Watson, strategic director of ArkDems, will be the presenter. Participants will learn general election schedules, types of voting, voter resources, how to mobilize voter campaigns and more. This is a non-partisan event, and all interested residents are invited to attend, especially those who may want to become a candidate for any race one day, according to President Pace.
Finally, a “Lunch and Learn” will be held Monday, January 15 from 12 noon until 3 pm at the Monticello Branch Library. This will be a Homebuyers and Credit Restoration Workshop. Participants will learn the homebuying process, how to get qualified, financing options, how to prepare for homeownership, the closing process, credit restoration and more. The guest presenter is Monticello native, Marshelvia Collins, CEO/owner of Mayven Realty Group and Purpose Lane.
“We are excited about this new direction we have initiated in order to provide a more impactful observance and celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” stated President Pace. MLK T-shirts may be purchased online and worn at any event by going to dcnaacp6042.org/t-shirts. For any other details, call President Pace at 870.723.9820
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