By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–At today’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day program in Paris, everyone was encouraged to “say ‘Hey'” to each other when they pass on the streets and encourge what people have in common.
Rev. Simone Travis pointed out the Henry County and Paris officials, court officials and law enforcement in atttendance and said Henry County “has some gems that are represented by different colors, different religions, different faces and different places, but when you see someone on the street, say ‘Hey’.”
Today’s morning and afternoon program was hosted by the Need to Feed and Travis Ministers and was held at the Central Community Building. Speakers were Laura Ferguson-Mimms, Gloria Bouknight, Simone Travis, and Elder James Travis. A theme of the program was the importance of “The Divine Nine” and Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Bouknight spoke of the importance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the history of the U.S. and encouraged young people to attend them and encouraged everyone to donate to them. “Superman isn’t coming. We can’t wait for someone to help us,” she said. “If we have the money for personal care, we should have money to keep the HCBU’s going.”
Simone Travis served as Mistress of Ceremonies and sang “His Eye is on the Sparrow”, while everyone sang, “Lift Every Voice and Sing” to open the program.
The program included an afternoon All-Star Basketball game between the Paris Heat and Paris Patriots Traveling Basketball teams. The Heat is coached by K.D. Freeman and the Patriots team is coached by Corbin Hight.
A program to present the annual Drum Major for Justice Award will be held tonight at Mt. Zion Baptist Church at 401 Irvine St. The public is invited to attend.
Top photo: Rev. Simone Travis speaks.
Middle photo: Paris Police Chief Ricky Watson, Sgt. Daniel Andrus, Vice Mayor Jackie Jones, Paris City Manager Kim Foster, and Officer Shelby Pomerantz.
Bottom photo: County Mayor John Penn Ridgeway, Sheriff Josh Frey, Judge Vicki Snyder, Aaron Dolberry, Circuit Court Clerk Mike Wilson and Chief Deputy Scott Wyrick.
Shannon McFarlin photos.