Elizabeth City State University to host Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Celebration

Katie Murray
January 16, 2013

Elizabeth City State University, in partnership with College of the Albemarle and Mid-Atlantic Christian University, invites the community to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, January 21, 2013. The festivities will begin at 9:00 am with a march from the G. R. Little Library on the campus of ECSU to Sheep Harney Elementary School at 200 W. Elizabeth City Street in Elizabeth City. At approximately 9:30 am, a program featuring students from each of the area’s three higher education institutions will focus on this year’s theme of unity. Following the program, participants will gather back on campus at the Ridley Student Complex for a viewing of the United States Presidential Inauguration Ceremony at 11:00am.

This is the 6th year that ECSU, College of the Albemarle, and Mid-Atlantic Christian University have joined forces to celebrate the life and vision of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. When discussing themes for this year’s celebration, unity seemed like the obvious choice. &quotHaving just concluded a presidential campaign, when the nation is more divided than ever, it seemed especially important that we focus on King’s hope that people could one day focus on their similarities rather than their differences,&quot said Darrien Jerman, the chair of the 2013 event.

In order to focus more on unifying the local community, organizers chose students from each institution be this year’s featured speakers. &quotWe felt that having area students speak about what King means to them, and how they would like to see his vision of unity unfold in their lives, would relate more to our local community and how we can implement King’s vision here in northeast North Carolina,&quot stated Jerman. This year’s speakers are Joshua Finney from ECSU, Demetrius Stokley from MACU, and Travis Hunter from COA.

The event was awarded a grant by the Corporation for National and Community Service’s Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service. In keeping with the organization’s vision to &quotmake it a day on, not a day off,&quot committee members have organized over a dozen service projects throughout the community. Projects range from landscaping at Girls, Inc., to sorting clothes for Hopeline Thrift Store people of all ages and abilities are encouraged to participate. Please visit http://mlk.macuniversity.edu/ for a complete list of opportunities.

For more information on this year’s celebration, please click here or call 252.335.3511.