Paris, Tenn.–The annual observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day will cover two days of activities in Paris, including the annual community prayer breakfast, speakers, forum and presentation of the Drum Major for Justice Award.
Rev. Andre Richardson said activities will be kicked off with a youth rally set for 6 p.m. Sunday, January 15 at Mt. Zion Baptist Church.
On Monday morning, the prayer breakfast will be held at 8 a.m. at the Henry County High School cafeteria. Rev. James Travis said keynote speaker is Dr. Desmond Kemp, research and policy analyst at the Deep Center in Savannah. The breakfast is hosted by Need To Feed and Henry County Ministerial Alliance.
The annual all-sta basketball game will be held after the breakfast at Gamlin Gym at the high school.
The theme for this year’s program is “Lifting as we Climb.”
At 6 p.m. at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, a community forum will kick off the activities. Rev. John Dandridge of Quinn Chapel AME Church is moderator and speaker will be Dr. Larry George of North Carolina. Dr. George received his Ph.D. from Vanderbilt and has taught at numerous colleges and universities.
At the conclusion of the forum, the annual Drum Major for Justice Award will be presented to a local resident.
Photo: Combined choirs sang at the 2019 Martin Luther King Day program at Mt. Zion Church. (Shannon McFarlin photo).