The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Commemorative Commission announces
lineup of events for the 2010 Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr. Celebration

New special programs combine with
traditional events to make a very
special celebration

The MLK Celebration programs are designed to
increase awareness of Dr. King’s work and to bring all races in
our community into closer harmony. For 2010, all celebration
events relate to the theme of “Realizing His Dream Through
Service: It Is Up To Us” and there are several new programs that
underline that theme.

School-age young people are invited to participate in the
all-new Youth Symposium to be held at the Children’s Defense
Fund Haley Farm January 16th. The morning sessions will focus
on strengthening our community by helping our youth to be
leaders for equity in the future. The half-day teacher in-service
credit program provides special professional development
sessions for local school teachers aimed at promoting the
principles and goals of the Knox County School Strategic Plan.

The traditional “Night with the Arts” on January 17th will
feature original productions written exclusively for the
MLK commemorative events. Beginning at 6:00 pm, this
very special production will be at the Colston Performing
Arts Center on the campus of Knoxville College and is open
to the public without charge.

Also new this year will be a month-long exhibit of MLK-
related works of art on display at the Bijou Theatre Gallery. The
gala opening of this meaningful exhibit will be from 5:00–7:00
pm on January 8th as part of the First Friday events.

The MLK website at www.mlkknoxville.org has been
expanded and revised so that all details of the 2010 celebration
can be conveniently accessed.

The kick-off event for the MLK Celebration will be the
Interfaith Prayer Service at Mount Calvary Baptist Church on
Wednesday, January 13th at noon. Religious leaders from many
different faiths will join in this very special worship service.

The Leadership Symposium is scheduled for the morning of
January 14 followed by the annual Leadership/Awards Luncheon at
noon. The special guest speaker at this year’s luncheon is Dr. John
Maguire, President Emeritus of Claremont Graduate University
and life director of the King Center. (Ticket information for the
luncheon can be found at www.mlkKnoxville.org.)

Our community really comes together on the MLK holiday,
January 18. The annual MLK Parade is one of the most exciting
events of the celebration with hundreds of participants and, this
year, former Mayor and former Ambassador to Poland Victor
Ash will be the Grand Marshal.

The parade will end at the Greater Warner Tabernacle AME
Zion Church for the annual Memorial Tribute Service with Rev.
Raphael Gamaliel Warnock as the keynote speaker. Dr. Warnock
is currently the Senior Pastor of the Ebenezer Baptist Church in
Atlanta, spiritual home of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Other related events include a community discussion by the
Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance on January 15th at
7:00 pm and the YWCA Race Against Racism during the
afternoon of January 16th.

The closing tribute to Dr. King and his work will be the
Holiday Celebration Concert on January 18th at 6:00 pm in the
Knoxville Civic Auditorium featuring the Knoxville Symphony
Orchestra, the MLK Holiday Celebration Choir, and a variety of
special guest performers.

With the exception of the luncheon on January 14, all MLK
Celebration events are open to the public without charge.

“The MLK season is an opportune time for all to reflect upon
the ideals of the Dream and the Dreamer,” stated MLK Chair
Renee Kesler. “Together, may we all seek to realize his dream
through service as it is up to us.” EK

For additional information, visit www.mlkknoxville.org or
contact Michael Combs at mcombs@utk.edu.