Drew County reveals plans to honor Martin Luther King
Drew County NAACP President Clarissa Pace and the executive committee announced plans for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. birthday celebration and observance.
The kickoff began Saturday with a Day of Service cleanup in Monticello and Wilmar, according to a news release.
On Jan. 13, a “Working for A Better Arkansas” workshop will be presented from 10 a.m. to noon at the VFW Hut. Will Watson, strategic director of the Democratic Party of Arkansas, will be the presenter. Participants will learn general election schedules, types of voting, voter resources, how to mobilize voter campaigns and more. This is a non-partisan event, and all interested residents are invited to attend, especially those who may want to become a candidate for any race one day, according to Pace.
The political action committee will host the event.
On Jan. 15, the official MLK celebration will be at 6 p.m. at Revival Center Church of God in Christ at Monticello. The theme is “We Are The Dream.”
The guest speaker will be retired Judge Wendell Griffen of Little Rock. Griffen retired in December 2022 after serving 12 years as judge of the Sixth Judicial Circuit of Arkansas, Fifth Division, and 13 years as a judge on the Arkansas Court of Appeals.
“During an illustrious 25-year judicial career, Griffen was an outspoken critic of the U.S. war in Iraq, expressed his moral objections to the death penalty and advocated a new trial and the release of Black journalist and human rights activist Mumia Abu-Jamal,” according to the news release.
Griffen, is pastor of New Millennium Church in Little Rock and is author of three internet blogs and a book, “The Fierce Urgency of Faith.”
Also Jan. 15, a Lunch and Learn event will be from noon to 3 p.m. at the Monticello Branch Library. This will be a Homebuyers and Credit Restoration workshop. Participants will learn the homebuying process, how to get qualified, financing options, how to prepare for homeownership, the closing process, credit restoration and more. The guest presenter is Monticello native Marshelvia Collins, chief executive officer/owner of Mayven Realty Group and Purpose Lane.
Pace said she wanted an MLK movement instead of just one day of observation.
“My goal was to host events that would impact the entire community, as well as exemplify and emphasize the true meaning of the Martin Luther King Jr. movement. Therefore, we added more events to the celebration,” Pace said.
“We are excited about this new direction we have initiated in order to provide a more impactful observance and celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” Pace said.
To purchase MLK t-shirts to wear at any event, visit dcnaacp6042.org/t-shirts. For more details, contact Pace at (870) 723-9820 or naacp6042@gmail.com.