Jackson NAACP prepares for MLK day services

JACKSON, Tenn — It is a day Americans come together to remember a civil rights pioneer.

“It’s a very special time, almost sacred time for me and I hope for most Americans,” NAACP MLK chairperson Dr. Martha Robinson said.

The Jackson-Madison County NAACP is preparing to remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in a big way.

“Our theme this year is, ‘A community committed to unity’,” Robinson said.

Monday will have a full day of events beginning early.

“We kick off the celebration with a breakfast, a commemorative breakfast at the T.R. White Sportsplex and that starts at 8:30 in the morning,” Robinson said.

The Lane College chapter of NAACP will help as well.

“It’s essential because we want to train our students to be strong citizens and strong advocates,” Lane College NAACP advisor Ameera Graves said.

The morning speaker has a history with West Tennessee.

“We’ll be graced with the presence of a 1959 Lane graduate, Rev. Jesse L. Douglas, who actually worked alongside Dr. King to plan the march from Selma to Montgomery,” Graves said.

There will be also be a performance.

“Our students and members of the NAACP are going to perform a reenactment of a sit-in which was an early direct action protest in the early 1960s,”Graves said.

After the breakfast participants will march to Mt. Zion Baptist Church for a rally.

After the mid-day rally, NAACP members and others participating are going back in the community to serve.

“Some will serve at RIFA helping those in need. We will also have a ‘read-a-thon’,” Robinson said.

Participants will end the day with a unity service at Englewood Baptist Church.

All events are free to the community.

If you don’t feel like walking but want to attend the breakfast, which starts at 8:30 and the mid-day service the Jackson Transit Authority is offering free shuttles to participants.