March, Vigil, Recommitment Banquet Highlight MLK Day Events

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Northwest Arkansas community will observe the national Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday with four days of events, culminating on Monday, Jan. 18. The theme of the events is “Celebrating our Past, Recommitting to His Dream."

The Northwest Arkansas Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Council has organized the events in cooperation with the University of Arkansas, the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the city of Fayetteville, the Bentonville community and Arvest Bank.

The main events of MLK Day will be the annual MLK Freedom March, the Noon Vigil, and the Recommitment Banquet.

This year, people taking part in the march will gather in U of A Lot 56 at the corner of MLK Boulevard and Razorback Road, starting at 11:15 a.m. Pastor Marla Mayberry, Antioch Baptist Church, Tulsa, Oklahoma will deliver the Invocation before the MLK Freedom March.

The marchers will celebrate Dr. King’s legacy while walking to the Verizon Ballroom at the Arkansas Union. In the event of inclement weather the award ceremony and march will be held in the Verizon Ballroom.

Following the march the U of A Associated Student Government and the Black Students Association will hold a Noon Vigil, also in the Verizon Ballroom.

This year’s vigil will include a performance by the Inspirational Chorale; a poem by senior Kristen Smith; a “Dream Keepers” speech from Trey Smith, a senior and president of Dream Keepers; and a keynote address from Joseph Daniels III. Daniels has a history of strong leadership and community involvement in Northwest Arkansas and at the U of A. His mission is to stress the significance of education through motivational speaking, mentoring, and active community involvement. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in civil engineering at the U of A.

The local celebration concludes with the NWA MLK Council’s 20th annual Recommitment Banquet at 7 p.m. in the Fayetteville Town Center. Rosalind Brewer, president and CEO of Sam’s Club, will deliver the keynote address at the event. Salute to Greatness awards will be presented to four local people and one organization, and the Martin Luther King Council will award scholarships to 12 Northwest Arkansas high school students, six to current undergraduates, and five to graduate students or current professionals.

Tickets are available on the council’s website.

OTHER MLK EVENTS

Other celebrations of Dr. King’s life and legacy include

• “I Have a Dream Speeches” from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15, at  Center 1101 S.W. Citizens Circle, Bentonville. Sponsored by the Bentonville community.
• Community Service Project, 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 16, at the Seven Hills Day Center for the Homeless, 1555 W. MLK Blvd., Fayetteville. Co-sponsored by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.
• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Service, 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 17, St. James Missionary Baptist Church, 764 W. North St., Fayetteville. Featured Speaker: Rev. Dr. Jeff Flannigan. Co-sponsored by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.
• MLK Dream Keepers’ Youth Prayer Breakfast and Activity, 8 a.m. Monday, Jan. 18, Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni House on Razorback Road. At 9:30 young people go to the U of A HPER building for games and exercise. Sponsored by the NWA MLK Council, U of A Intramural Sports, and Intercollegiate Athletics.
• ARVEST Service of Reflection, 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 18, Arvest Plaza, 75 N. East St., Downtown Fayetteville. The speaker will be Mrs. Betty Davis, retired practical nurse and Navy veteran. This event is sponsored by Arvest Bank.