MLK events, parade slated for weekend

Although this year marks the 50th Anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s slaying in Memphis, his words and wisdom still live on and will be celebrated locally in honor of his birthday.

The Ozan-Inghram and Iron Mountain Neighborhood Development Corporation, along with the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend Celebration Committee, will be holding the 26th Annual Prayer Breakfast and the 16th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Evening Black Tie Acts of Kindness Gala this weekend.

The breakfast will take place 8 a.m. Saturday at the Lonoke Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, 1814 Lonoke Ave., Texarkana, Ark. The gala will start 7 p.m. Sunday at the Twin City Event Center at 2101 Texas Blvd.

Along with the prayer breakfast and gala, there will also be a youth service at 10 a.m. Jan. 15 at Lonoke Baptist Church, followed by the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade at 11 a.m. in downtown Texarkana. Following the parade, there will be a special Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration at 1 p.m. at Dunbar Elementary School hosted by the Greater Texarkana NAACP.

Since this year marks the 50th Anniversary of Dr. King’s slaying, Sandra Warren—a board member and secretary for the corporation—said speakers at the breakfast meeting will be paying special tribute to his legacy.

“Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision still lives on and it is still making an impact in communities around the world,” Warren said in a prepared statement.

“Many have chosen to move from the sidelines and do their part in changing the world. They have chosen to get involved in a BIG WAY to make a difference in Texarkana USA and in the world at large.”

Warren said the Ozan-Inghram and Iron Mountain community’s leaders created these events so that residents can together reflect on, discuss and plan ways to advance Dr. King’s vision.

“Today, the residents still look forward to this memorable occasion, during the MLK Weekend,” she said. “Diverse groups of individuals come together to support and honor the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Many residents rededicate themselves to the principles of Freedom and Justice.”

For more information, call Warren at 903-244-0996.