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A sampler of Martin Luther King Jr. Day events in Middle Georgia

By STAFF REPORT breaking@macon.com
In this Aug. 28, 1963 photo, The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., head of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, gestures during his "I Have a Dream" speech as he addresses thousands of civil rights supporters gathered in Washington, D.C. Months before the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech to hundreds of thousands of people gathered in Washington in 1963, he fine-tuned his civil rights message before a much smaller audience in North Carolina. Reporters had covered King’s 55-minute speech at a high school gymnasium in Rocky Mount on Nov. 27, 1962, but a recording wasn’t known to exist until English professor Jason Miller found an aging reel-to-reel tape in the town’s public library.
In this Aug. 28, 1963 photo, The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., head of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, gestures during his "I Have a Dream" speech as he addresses thousands of civil rights supporters gathered in Washington, D.C. Months before the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech to hundreds of thousands of people gathered in Washington in 1963, he fine-tuned his civil rights message before a much smaller audience in North Carolina. Reporters had covered King’s 55-minute speech at a high school gymnasium in Rocky Mount on Nov. 27, 1962, but a recording wasn’t known to exist until English professor Jason Miller found an aging reel-to-reel tape in the town’s public library. AP Photo

There are multiple Middle Georgia events over the next few days to celebrate the accomplishments of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

Here's a roundup of events and services in the midstate.

FRIDAY:

The 137th Corps of Cadets at Georgia Military College in Milledgeville will honor King with a ceremony at 2:30 p.m. in the Goldstein Center for the Performing Arts. In addition to a guest speaker, junior college and high school cadets are expected to pay tribute to the civil right leader's life teachings and accomplishments in promoting equality and justice for everyone.

Macon-Bibb County's Parks & Recreation Department will host an oratorical scholarship competition at 6 p.m. at the Douglass Theatre where 10 high school students will use their voice to share their vision. For more information, call 447-2790.

SATURDAY:

Macon-Bibb County's first annual MLK 5K is set to start at 9 a.m. at the Ocmulgee National Monument. Organizers include Georgia Fitness Festivals Inc. and Rhythm N Jazz Foundation Inc. Registration is $25. For more information, contact Charise Stephens at gafitfestival@gmail.com or Bob Fickling at bobfickling@gmail.com

First Baptist Church in Warner Robins will host a MLK Unity Breakfast at 9 a.m. in the New Beginning Center at 210 Garmon St. The cost is $5. For more information, call 335-3923 or 714-0527.

The Dr. M.L. King Second Annual Youth and Law Summit, which is expected to include a panel of judges, lawyers, police officials, correctional officers and legal administrators, starts at 11:30 a.m. at First Baptist Church, 210 Garmon St., Warner Robins. Discussion topics include youth and law issues, including what youth should do if stopped by police and making good decisions. For more information, call Ira L. Foster at 478-955-8662 or Tommy Brown at 478-390-6425.

SUNDAY:

A "Living the Dream in Worship" service will be held at Bethel AME Church, 3607 Earl St., Macon at 6 p.m. with Minnie Hollingsworth as the keynote speaker.

MONDAY:

Macon-Bibb County's annual King march is set to begin at 11 a.m. People will gather at the Booker T. Washington Community Center, the Rosa Jackson Community Center, the Frank Johnson Recreation Center and Memorial Gym before walking to the Government Center at 700 Poplar St. to meet at noon, according to a news release from the county. A celebration including a keynote speaker is planned for 12:15 p.m. at Steward Chapel AME Church, 887 Forsyth St.

The Tubman African American Museum, 310 Cherry St., will play on a continuous loop "The Boy King," a 30-minute short film, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Also Monday, the museum will offer a guided tour focused on the life, beliefs and practices of the civil rights leader. A special exhibit of artifacts, artwork and photographs will be on display. For more information, call the museum at 743-8544.

Fort Valley State University has planned a march for 9 a.m. beginning at the Wildcat Commons Club House. A program will follow at 10 a.m. at Saint Peter AME Church, 502 State University Drive in Fort Valley. For more information, call Brian Byrd, director of the Office of Campus Life, at 825-6292.

A march organized in Forsyth is set to begin at noon starting at City Hall, 26 N. Jackson St., and ending at Kynette United Methodist Church on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. A program will follow at the church at 12:45 p.m.

Greater Turner Tabernacle AME Church, 1104 Third St. in Macon, will have a breakfast beginning at 9 a.m. Monday. A $10 donation is requested. For more information, call 318-1066.

St. Peter Claver Catholic Church, 131 Ward St. in Macon, will have its 26th annual King breakfast beginning at 7 a.m. Monday with a program to follow at 8 a.m.

Warner Robins' Union Grove Baptist Church, 809 S. Davis Drive, has planned a commemoration for 10 a.m. Monday. For more information, call 953-2118.

This story was originally published January 14, 2016 at 7:46 PM with the headline "A sampler of Martin Luther King Jr. Day events in Middle Georgia ."

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