SALISBURY — The Salisbury-Rowan Human Relations Council will present the 27th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. citywide celebration.
The following are local activities:
• Friday, Jan. 18
Hefner VA Medical Center, 1601 Brenner Ave., Salisbury, MLK birthday celebration, social room, building No. 6, 1 p.m.
• Sunday, Jan. 20
Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 1920 Shirley Ave., Salisbury, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Awards Program, 3 p.m.
• Monday, Jan. 21
Hurley YMCA, W. 828 Jake Alexander Blvd., Salisbury, MLK breakfast, 7 a.m.
Soldiers Memorial AME Zion Church, 306 N. Church St., Salisbury and Freedman’s Cemetery, memorial ceremony, 11 a.m.
Salisbury Civic Center, 315 South Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Salisbury, celebration event, following the parade.
Tickets for the breakfast are $8 and can be purchased by calling 704-638-5217 or at the following locations — Rowan Regional Medical Center, Salisbury-Rowan Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, Salisbury-Rowan Human Relations Council members, JF Hurley YMCA, Salisbury City Human Resources office, Rowan County Human Resources office and Bible Bookstore.
The deadline for parade entry forms is Friday, Jan. 18.
The speaker for the Martin Luther King breakfast is Dr. Zinerva “Zin” White Jr., a native of Florida.
White is founder of Fruit of the Spirit Ministries International, Apostolic Network.
White retired from the U.S. Army after 21 years. He received the Combat Infantryman’s Badge for active ground combat, a Silver Star for heroism and gallantry in action, a Bronze Star for Valor, two Air Medals, two Purple Hearts for wounds received in combat and two Meritorious Service Medal Medals for outstanding meritorious service.
Upon retiring from the military, White spent two years as a divisional vice president for Ideal Inc. in Dallas. He served 15 years with the city of Norfolk, working as a local government official, from which he retired.
For more information, contact Salisbury-Rowan Human Relations Council 704-638-5217, Deborah Ross-Turnbull 704-245-0499, Byron Brown 704-433-9145 or Sherry Hawthorne 704-499-11997.
The citywide events are sponsored by the Salisbury-Rowan Human Relations Council, Food Lion, the city of Salisbury and Rowan Regional Medical Center.
The Hefner VA Medical Center will honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with two activities.
On Monday at 6 p.m. in the building No. 6 social room, winners the annual student essay contest will read their entries. On Jan. 18, the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration will be held at 1 p.m. the building No. 6 social room. The public is welcome to attend both events.
The elementary school entries addressed the meaning of Dr. King’s Dream. The middle school entries addressed, “A Man Called Martin — His Life, His Work, His Dream.”
The high school and medical center employee entries focused on King’s legacy, his life and his and impact on American society.
The first place was awarded to Alice Ricks, who will read her essay Jan. 18 and second place went to Annie L. Elliott, who will read her essay on Monday.
The keynote speaker on Jan. 18 will be Dr. Patrick Graham, CEO of the Urban League of Central Carolina.
He will speak on the program’s theme, “Stepping into Martin’s Promised Land.”
The 2013 Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award will be awarded to Herman “Tony” Fisher, Rural Health Driver/Veteran Liaison. Rebecca Stinson will be the event soloist and will be accompanied by Phyllis Partee.
For more information contact Chaplain Ethel Bamberg-Revis at 704-638-9000, ext. 2137 or visit the website www.salisbury.va.gov.