Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was born Jan. 15, 1929, in Atlanta. He was killed by an assassin’s bullet on April 4, 1968. He will long be remembered as a spiritual and civil rights leader.
He especially will be remembered as a dreamer who had visualized this country being a nation where equity and justice would be the standard for all and not a privilege for some.
The Bluffton MLK Observance Committee will commemorate the 55th assassination anniversary of the late Rev. Dr. King with a week-long reflection of the life and legacy of a martyr and true American patriot. The theme is “Together, We Can Be the Dream.”
The highlight event will be the Inaugural MLK Martyr Day Banquet/Luncheon at 11 a.m. April 4 at The Rotary Community Center at Oscar Frazier Park.
Community leaders, clergy, citizens, organizations and officials will gather to reflect on the life and legacy of a martyr, who sacrificed his life for the shared commitment of equity for all. There will also be a call to action to continue the work of building the “beloved community.”
Tickets are available for $25 each. For more information, visit the Bluffton MLK Observance Committee page on Facebook, contact blufftonmlk@yahoo.com or contact Benisha Brown at 843-494-2408.
The event will be an afternoon that not only reflects on the day the world stood still as a martyr who gave his life for the betterment of all was brutally assassinated, but will also celebrate heroes and champions within the community, who embody the legacy Dr. King worked tirelessly to build.
April 6 will feature two events: A community soup kitchen will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., focused on feeding public works and sanitation workers, two groups near and dear to Dr. King’s legacy.
Anyone interested in volunteering to serve or to donate a prepared dish or dessert may contact blufftonmlk@yahoo.com or Jacquelyn Brown at 843-227-0485 for more information.
Later that evening, the committee will host a community forum focusing on “Race and Education: Post Brown vs. Board of Education and the 1965 Civil Rights Acts.” This event is a Part II continuation of the January forum that focused on policing in America in the aftermath of the murder of Tyre Nichols.
This panel discussion will feature local legislators, experts and educators, and will be an open dialogue between the community and panel speakers. Topics surrounding the effects of book banning and CRT will also be addressed.
Contact blufftonmlk@yahoo.com or Bridgette Frazier at 843-816-9671 for more information.
The weekend will end with a Gullah Market from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 8 at The Heyward House Common Grounds. The market will showcase local artisans providing an array of Lowcountry and Gullah comfort foods, craftsmen, merchandise, entertainment and fun for the whole family. All are welcome.
For more information contact blufftonmlk@yahoo.com or Jacquelyn Brown at 843-227-0485.
