At 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 21, a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration will begin with a march from the Greenbrier County Courthouse to the Lewisburg United Methodist Church via Washington Street.
Right before the march there will be a reading of Lewisburg Mayor John Manchester’s proclamation of Martin Luther King, Jr. Week. After the march, a free community lunch will be served in the church, catered by Lisa Carter’s Culinary Class at Davis Stuart. At 12:30 p.m. in the church sanctuary, there will be a program of singing, oration, poetry, and reading of children’s essays to celebrate Dr. King’s accomplishments and build enthusiasm for carrying forward his dream of equality in civil rights and harmony among all races.
The theme for this year’s event is Fairness, Unity, Equality: “Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” The quote is from a 1964 address by Martin Luther King, Jr. in Lincoln, Nebraska. Elementary school students who entered the 2019 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Essay Contest and the Art Contest based their works on this theme. Students at Crichton Elementary School, Greenbrier Episcopal School, Rainelle Elementary School, Lewisburg Elementary School, and Mountain View Elementary and Middle School participated. The winning essays and works of art will be featured in the program.
The keynote speaker will be Jeff Chandler Woods, a West Virginia lawyer who recently ran for the Supreme Court of West Virginia. He was born in Lewisburg and graduated from Greenbrier East High School, West Virginia State College, and Howard University Law School. He has many years of experience with the law and the system of justice in the U.S. Army. Last year during his campaign he emphasized his resolve to do all he can to ensure everyone receives “equal protection and justice under the law.”
A musical tribute will be presented by Dr. Calvin McClinton, music director at the Old Stone Presbyterian Church. He is a celebrated performer, conductor, choral director, author, and lecturer. He was responsible for organizing and directing two large community music events in Lewisburg during 2018.
Lewisburg City Council Member Beverly White will touch the hearts of the people at the gathering with a poem. She is noted for her eloquent recitation of her poetry.
Questions about the event may be directed to Larry Davis at 304-646-0602. Donations in support of the Martin Luther King Day Celebration may be made at the event or mailed to the MLK Committee c/o Child Youth Advocacy Center, 212 W. Washington Street, Lewisburg, WV 24901.
Two other Lewisburg events that will fit right in with Martin Luther King, Jr. Day may also be attended. Carnegie Hall will offer a special event concert on Saturday, Jan 19: “Lift Me Up: Masters of American Gospel.” Performing at the concert will be the Legendary Ingramettes of Richmond, VA, and the Northern Kentucky Brotherhood Singers from Covington, KY. Following the 4 p.m. showing of the award winning movie “Green Book” on Sunday Jan. 20, at the Lewis Theatre, Women of Color for Change of the Greenbrier Valley will host a panel discussion. The movie will also be shown on at 7 p.m. on Jan. 18, 19, and 21.