MLK Day is Honored Locally

Jasper Countians braved the chilly conditions Monday afternoon to participate in the annual Martin Luther King Day march and program held locally.

Some 50 plus individuals took to the city streets to participate in the march which lasted approximately an hour. However the number of those attending the program, hosted this year by St. James A.M.E. Church where the march began, increased significantly as many opted not to face the outside elements.

The program featured guest speaker Evern Williams, a former Jasper County resident and science educator who currently teaches in the Dekalb County School System. Mr. Williams, a former Jasper County Teacher of the Year and well-documented epidemiologist, spoke to the topic of change in society.

Also featured during the MLK Day celebration were the Maddox Chapel Missionary Baptist Church Dance Team. Roger Minter provided the Martin Luther King, Jr. Litany, Rev. Bill Gibson provided the invocation, Sandra Carter read the scripture, youth Harmoni Farley gave the audience a big welcome, youths Elijah Whidby and Keilynd Porter each recited poems, Lanita Banks introduced guest speaker Mr. Williams, The Marks Family Gospel Singers of Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church provided a selection and Ernie Banks lead the audience in the Negro National Anthem.

Remarks were provided by St. James A.M.E. Church Pastor Rev. Reginald Jacobs and Springfield Missionary Baptist Church Pastor Rev. Dr. Jimmy Horton.

In years past, the annual MLK Day celebration festivities have been hosted by Springfield Baptist Church however Rev. Horton noted that beginning this year the annual event will be cycled through several churches. Next year the event will be hosted by St. John C.M.E. Church where Rev. John Hammonds is pastor.