Civil Rights attorney Morris Dees will deliver the keynote address for The Unity Group’s 39th annual MLK Week Celebration on Monday, Jan. 19. The event will be at the Tivoli Theatre following a memorial parade from The Olivet Baptist Church to the theater.
Mr. Dees traded in his book publishing business in 1967 to enter the struggle for social justice and civil rights. In 1971, he co-founded the Southern Poverty Law Center in Montgomery, Al. and hired Julian Bond as its first director. Since that time the center has worked to eliminate hate crimes, to teach tolerance and to uphold civil rights laws.
The annual Unity Group sponsored week of activities promote King’s legacy of nonviolent social change.
Rev. Steve Caudle, pastor of Greater Second Missionary Baptist Church will speak at the prayer breakfast on Saturday, Jan. 17. This multicultural event will offer prayers for peace, fellowship and community leadership.
Other activities include a children’s rights conference, community fellowship meal and worship service, Dr. King’s birthday party for children and youth, and a workshop on citizen interaction with the police.
Highlights:
Wednesday, Jan. 14
Children’s Rights Conference Sponsored by Tennessee Commission On Children & Youth
(Second Missionary Baptist Church 2305 E. 3rd St.)
Theme: Carving A Tunnel of Hope—One Step at a Time
Guest Speakers: Jon Ebert, PsyD., Vandervilt Center for Excellence for Children in State Custody, Nashville
Ms. Beverly Watts, Tn Human Rights Commission, Nashville
Dr. Fannie Hewlett, Chattanooga State Technical Community College
8:30-12 p.m.
Community Fellowship Meal & Worship Service
(Grace Episcopal Church 20 Belvoir Ave.)
Speaker: Rev. Dr. David Brown, Pastor Pilgrim Congregational Church
Co-Hosts: Pilgrim Congregational Church, Second Missionary Baptist Church & Westside Baptist Church
6-8:30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 17
Prayer Breakfast
(Second Missionary Baptist Church 2305 E. 3rd Street)
Speaker: Rev. Steve Caudle, Greater Second Missionary Baptist Church
9-11 a.m.
Community Workshop—What to do if you are stopped by the police.
Facilitated by Dr. Loretta Prater
Location to be announced
4 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 18
Dr. King’s Birthday Party for children and youth
(New Zion Baptist Church 809 M. L. King Blvd.)
Speaker: Mr. Derrick Griffin, East Ridge High School
4-6 p.m.
Monday, Jan. 19
Memorial March
4 p.m. (3:30 p.m. line up on MLK Blvd in front of Olivet Baptist Church and march to Tivoli Theatre)
Main Program and Keynote Address by Morris Dees, Esq.
(Tivoli Theatre 709 Broad St.)
5-7:30 p.m.