2019 Martin L. King Jr. Day Celebration is Jan. 20-21
JONESBORO – Activities associated with the 2019 Northeast Arkansas Dr. Martin L. King Jr. Day celebration have been announced by the Northeast Arkansas Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Planning Committee.
Events begin Sunday, Jan. 20, at 3:30 p.m., with the Dr. Martin L. King Jr. Youth Celebration, which will be held in the Jonesboro High School Auditorium.
On the national holiday Monday, Jan. 21, a march/parade, with Rev. Ray Scales of Jonesboro as grand marshal, will begin at 11 a.m. on the campus of Arkansas State University, starting at the Military Science Building, 1921 Aggie Road, then moving east to Marion Berry Parkway and north to Johnson Ave.
Once on Johnson Ave., the march/parade will proceed east then turn south onto University Loop East, concluding at Fowler Center, 201 Olympic Drive.
March/parade participants are encouraged to start gathering at the Military Science Building at 10 a.m. for coffee and donuts, and instructions.
The annual Dr. Martin L. King Jr. Day community program will begin after the march/parade at noon in Fowler Center's Riceland Hall.
The speaker will be the Rev. Dr. Logan Hampton, president of Lane College in Jackson, Tenn. Under Hampton's leadership, which began in June 2014, Lane's educational opportunities and its enrollment have grown and progressed significantly.
With a doctoral degree from UALR, master's from Northwestern State University, and bachelor's from Arkansas Tech, Hampton previously worked in administrative leadership positions at UALR, UCA, Texas A&M and TCU. Among his many professional and civic activities, he serves on the board of directors for the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU).
Chancellor Kelly Damphousse will welcome the audience and bring greetings on behalf of Arkansas State University.
All MLK Day activities are open to the public, and everyone is welcome to participate, as a group or individually.
This year’s program will mark the 17th anniversary of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day events in Jonesboro, according to Kenisha Ross, chair of the MLK Day Planning Committee. For additional details, one may contact Ross at (870) 897-3076 or kenisha_ross@yahoo.com.
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