Media Release

ALACHUA COUNTY - Coordinated by the Martin Luther King, Jr., Commission of Florida, Inc., and co-sponsored by Alachua County, the celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. begins Monday, January 14, 2008 in Gainesville and Alachua County.

Established in 1985, the MLK Commission of Florida, Inc. has continued the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by advocating and promoting, nonviolently, the elimination of poverty and racism, and has worked to promote social and economic justice in Alachua County and the State of Florida.

The public is invited to attend the following King Week events: 

Pre-King Week Activities

Sunday, January 13, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. 

Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration will be held at Mount Olive Primitive Baptist Church, 510 NE 15th Street in Gainesville.  For more information contact Janie S. Williams at 352-378-4586

King Week Activities

Monday, January 14, 2008

2008 Press Conference will be held at 12:00 noon at the MLK, Jr., Gardens Downtown located in front of City Hall. Contact Rodney J. Long at 352-376-2442 for additional information.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

The King Celebration '08 Kick Off Program begins at 6:30 p.m. at the St. Augustine Church & Catholic Student Center located at 1738 West University Ave, Gainesville.  The speaker will be Rev. Dr. DeForest Soaries, Jr., Senior Pastor First Baptist Church, Somerset N.J. and Former Secretary of State, New Jersey.  Contact Rev. Kevin Thorpe at 352-375-4850 or Marie D. Small at 352-335-0572 for additional information.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The Food for the Soul Lunch Series: "Waking up from 'The Dream'..Were the Boondocks right about MLK?"  will be held at the Institute of Black Culture (across from Library West).

Wednesday, January 16, 2008 at 6:30 p.m.

The Community Building and Activism Workshop will be held at the Institute of Black Culture.

Thursday, January 17, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.

The 2008 Black History and Cultural Brain Bowl will be held at the MLK Multi-Purpose Center located at 1028 NE 14th Street. Contact Cynthia E. Mingo at 352-466-3320 or 352-222-9425 for additional information

Thursday, January 17, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.

The MLK Educational Forum: "Has The Dream Been Realized?" will be held at the Reitz Union 282.

 Friday, January 18, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.

The Affordable Housing Forum will take place at the MLK Multi-Purpose Center located at 1028 NE 14th Street. Contact Janice Nix Crews at 352 380-9110, Marie D. Small at 352 335-0572 or Diyonne McGraw at 352- 246-1739 for additional information.   

Saturday January 19, 2008 at 8:30 a.m.

The Educational Crisis Task Forum M.O.R.E. Initiative Charrette will take place at the MLK Multi-Purpose Center located at 1028 NE 14th Street. Contact Vivian Filer at 352-376-9966 or Larry McDaniel at 352-338-1344 for additional information.

Sunday January 20, 2008 at 11:00 a.m.

The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc, Nu Eta Lambda Chapter Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Observance Program will be held at Friendship Baptist Church 426 NW 2nd Street. The speaker will be Rev. Willie Mayberry.  Contact Marlon Ivey, President at 386-344-2233 for additional information.

Sunday January 20, 2008 at 6:00 p.m.

Martin Luther King, Jr., Commission of Florida, Inc will hold the Twenty-Third Annual Hall of Fame Banquet with the theme "Justice for All."  The Keynote Speaker will be the Honorable Dr. Jocelyn Elders, Former United States Surgeon General.  Suggested donation for entrance is $50.  It will take place at the Paramount Resort and Conference Center.  The Hall of Fame Honoree will be Sister Hazel Williams.  For more information contact Jackie Hart-Williams at 352-264-6956 or 352-376-2442.  Edna Hart Scholarship Award

Sunday January 20, 2008 at 6:00 p.m.

The Black Graduate Student Organization and the Accent and the Institute of Black Culture will hold the 22nd Annual Awards Celebration, featuring Farai Chideya at the Reitz Union Grand Ballroom.

National Holiday Activities

Monday, January 21, 2008 at 11:30 a.m.

National Holiday Press Conference will be held at the MLK, Jr., Memorial Gardens in front of Gainesville City HallMemorial Gardens in front of Gainesville City Hall.  For more information contact Rodney J. Long at 352-376-2442.

Monday, January 21, 2008 at 12:00 p.m.

The National Holiday Kick-Off Program will be held at the Downtown Community Plaza.  The speaker will be LeNonar Elaina Walton, BHS, 2008 Edna M. Hart Keeper of the Dream Scholarship Award Recipient.      For more information contact Dorcas "Candy" Ramseur at 352-514-1275.

Monday, January 21, 2008 at 12:45 p.m.

Hall of Fame Memorial Tribute at the MLK, Jr. Memorial Gardens in front of Gainesville City Hall.  For more information contact Joel Buchanan at 352 -392-9075.

Monday, January 21, 2008 at 1:00 p.m.

Annual Commemorative March at the MLK Memorial Gardens (Downtown) to
MLK Multi-Purpose Center, Waldo Road.  For more information contact Diyonne McGraw at 352-246-1739.

Monday, January 21, 2008 at 2:00 p.m.

The National Holiday Gospel Program will be held at the MLK Multi-Purpose Center, 1028 NE 14 St., featuring: Beverly Camps-Crawford.  For more information contact Janice Nix Crews at 352 380-9119.

Post King Week Activities

Saturday, January 26, 2008 at 11:30 a.m.

Centennial Celebration of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. at the Paramount Plaza Hotel and Suites.  The cost will be $25.  For more information contact Yvonne C Rawls at 352-372-0246.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.

The Coretta Scott King Observance Program will be held at the Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church.  The speaker will be Vanessa Douyon, Membership Vice President, Florida Cicerones/SAAUF.  For more information contact Marie D. Small at 352-335-0572.

Thursday, January 25, 2008 at 7:00 p.m

Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies: "Pampering the Brothers Health Forum, Part II" will be held at the Alachua County Health Department Auditorium, 228 SE 24th Street in Gainesville.  Facilitator will be Hon. Dr. Cynthia Moore Chestnut.  For more information contact Marie D. Small at 352-335-0572.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008 at 8:00 p.m.

The Ebony Fashion Show will take place at Lincoln Middle School -1001 SE 12th Street.  Tickets will be $25.  For more information contact Verna Johnson at  372-1004

Sunday, January 27,  2008 at 11:00 a.m.

The Gainesville Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc Founders Day Celebration will be held at Fort Clarke Missionary Baptist Church, 9121 NW 8th Ave in Gainesville. The speaker will be Mrs. Christine Nixon.  For more information contact Yvonne Hughes at 352-332-2967 or Barbara Henry at 352-332-1024.

Monday, February 9, 2008 at 9:00 a.m.

Women In Religion will be held at the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center, 1714 SW 34th Street.  The cost will be $30.  For more information contact Sarah Richardson at 352-378-7928

Sunday February 10, 2008 at 4:00 p.m.

"Out of the Past" will be held at the Springhill Baptist Church, 120 SE Williston Road

Sunday, February 24, 2008 at 3:00 p.m.
Ebony Appreciation Awards Banquet will take place at a location to be announced. For more information contact Bernadette Woody at 337-0720

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