By Arnie Alpert, AFSC
Sen. Hassan, Rep. Pappas, Mayor Craig to Join MLK Celebration
MANCHESTER – Senator Maggie Hassan, Representative Chris Pappas, and Manchester’s Mayor Joyce Craig will be among those celebrating Martin Luther King Day on Monday, January 21, when the Martin Luther King Coalition holds its 37th annual Martin Luther King Day Community Celebration at Temple Adath Yeshurun in Manchester.
The theme of this year’s celebration is “Our Children, Our Future.”
The Celebration will include presentation of the 2019 Martin Luther King Award to Dr. Dottie Morris, Associate Vice President for Institutional Diversity and Equity at Keene State College, whom the Coalition says has become one of the state’s top ‘go to’ people for communities dealing with racism.
The Coalition will present the Vanessa Johnson Award to Young Organizers United, a program of the Granite State Organizing Project, in recognition of its work in support of the civil and educational rights of local students.
The keynote speaker will be Ron Walker, executive director of the Coalition of Schools Educating Boys of Color, a Boston organization which connects, inspires, supports and strengthens school leaders dedicated to the social, emotional and academic development of boys and young men of color.
Reverend Eric Jackson of Brookside Congregational Church and president of the Greater Manchester NAACP will serve as emcee. The Greater Manchester Area Choir will share musical selections and lead the crowd in “We Shall Overcome” to close the event.
American Sign Language interpretation will be provided by students from UNH Manchester.
The Celebration kicks off with desserts donated by area restaurants at 2 PM, followed by the program from 3 to 5 PM.
The Celebration is open to all, free of charge, with donations accepted to cover the Coalition’s expenses. City Year will also collect donations for the New Hampshire Food Bank at the event.
Temple Adath Yeshurun is located at 152 Prospect Street in Manchester.
