A-State To Host 20th Anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
JONESBORO — A schedule of activities associated with the 20th anniversary of the Northeast Arkansas Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration has been announced by Dr. Lonnie Williams, vice chancellor for Diversity, Inclusion and Community Engagement, at Arkansas State University. The theme for the Monday, Jan. 17, program is, “It Starts With Me.” Activities get underway at noon.
The event will be virtual for the second consecutive year due to COVID-19 concerns. Out of concern for participants’ safety, there will be no parade.
“Although COVID has forced us to be virtual, we did not want to miss an opportunity to celebrate the 20th anniversary of this program being celebrated in Northeast Arkansas,” said Williams. “With all of the divisiveness in America and the seemingly increasing racial divide amidst other things, I think the theme, ‘It Starts With Me,’ speaks to the fact that it is up to all of us, individually and collectively, to do our part in working toward better racial relations and respect for all to make this a better America to fulfill The Dream.
A-State Chancellor Kelly Damphousse and Jonesboro Mayor Harold Copenhaver will provide opening remarks to get the occasion underway. The program will be broadcast live on the Craighead MLK Jr. Parade Facebook page at noon. For more information, contact Kenisha Ross, chairperson of the planning committee at MLKjrday_pr2001@yahoo.com or call 870-623-1951. KLEK also plans to air the program live and there will be performances by the MLK dancers.
In addition, KAIT-TV in Jonesboro will air a retrospective with the time to be announced.
The Craighead County NAACP, Mu Sigma Sigma chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho sorority, and the Jonesboro Alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta sorority will host “Stop the Violence: A Conversation” Monday evening from 7-8:30 p.m. via Zoom. Join Zoom with the meeting ID 842 6981 6233, passcode 626721.
Volunteer A-State plans to honor the MLK legacy by serving the A-State community. Join students in completing a service project at the A-State Food Pantry from 3-4 p.m., by volunteering online at AState.qualtrics.com. The Black Students Association is also hosting a food drive from 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the NEA Food Bank at 3414 One Place in Jonesboro.
