CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Various communities and organizations across Central Illinois are planning to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. this weekend ahead of the federal holiday honoring the late leader of the Civil Rights Movement.
Champaign County
The MLK Countywide Committee and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Advocacy for Justice Committee will be hosting their 24th annual celebration on Sunday. It will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, located on the University of Illinois campus.
The celebration will feature a keynote speech from Reverend Dr. Claude E. Shelby, Sr. — Pastor Emeritus at Salem Baptist Church — and will also include the bestowing of prestigious awards from the Countywide Committee and the MLK Advocacy for Justice Center. Three people were named as the recipients of these awards:
- Tracy Dace — awarded the James R. Burgess, Jr./Susan Freiburg Humanitarian Award
- Donna Tanner-Harold – awarded the Doris Hoskins Prestigious Community Service Award
- Terry Townsend – awarded the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Outstanding Achievement Award
“The MLK Countywide Committee and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Advocacy for Justice Committee looks forward to continuing to recognize the commitment of community members, while also honoring the significant contributions to civil and human rights practiced by Dr. King,” said Mikal Washington of Champaign’s Equity & Engagement Department.
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Danville
Danville was planning to hold a march and motorcade on Monday, but a pending report for inclement weather has led organizers to cancel those plans.
As a result, the city’s festivities will begin with a service at St. James United Methodist Church at 11:30 a.m. The Reverend Dr. Crystal Thomas, the senior pastor at New Zion Tabernacle of Fort Wayne, Ind., will serve as the speaker…