Drew County NAACP sets MLK events
President Clarissa Pace and the executive committee of the Drew County NAACP Branch 6042 will present the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration and Observances.
The official day will be celebrated at 6 p.m. Jan. 20 at Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church in Monticello. The special guest speaker will be Tonya Floyd Chambers, a lawyer from Little Rock. The celebration’s theme is “Mission Possible,” according to a news release.
Chambers is a speaker, business owner, author, political commentator, playwright and poet.
“She is an expert in the field of labor and employment law with a passion for building and strengthening voter knowledge regarding the laws that impact our working and personal lives,” according to the release.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“She has represented clients and recovered large settlements in matters involving wrongful termination, discrimination pursuant to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and violation of employee rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act,” according to the release.
Chambers earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Rhodes College in Memphis and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Arkansas School of Law. She is also a member of the Place of Harvest Ministries in Little Rock.
Also on Jan. 20, there will be Meet the Greeks event at 10 a.m. at the Wilmar Community Center in Wilmar. Contact Stacey Smith at (870) 224-6368 for details.
OTHER MLK EVENTS
The kick-off event for the MLK Celebration will be Jan. 4. This will be a “Day of Service.” Chris Allen, chair of the Economic Development Committee and coordinator of this event, invites the community to join in the neighborhood cleanup. Volunteers will meet at Jordan Park at 9 a.m. to clean up until 11:30 a.m. From 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m, there will be a reception at the Monticello Branch Library. Churches, youth groups, sororities, fraternities, organizations and individuals are welcome to participate. Contact Allen at (870) 460-5479 to sign up.
The Youth Council and Youth Works will also observe MLK with the annual Alumni Basketball Game on Jan. 18 at 4 p.m. Drew Central and Monticello alumni athletes will face off.
The Economic Development Committee will host a Beginners Investment Seminar on Jan. 25 at the Monticello Branch Library from 10 a.m. until noon. The event is open to the public.
Monticello and Drew Central school districts will join in the celebration. There will be essay writing contests, art contests and special high school presentations. The branch will present first, second and third place gift cards to winners.
“It is always our goal to observe the legacy of Dr. King in a way that reflects the MLK Movement which affected this country and all communities,” Pace said. “Our theme is an encouragement that we can protect justice and equality in the spirit of non-violence.”
Details: President Clarissa Pace, (870) 723-9820, naacp6042@gmail.com or dcnaacp6042.org.
Christmas closings set
Several agencies have announced their closing schedules for the Christmas holiday.
Pine Bluff City Hall and related offices — Closed Dec. 23 through Dec. 25.
Jefferson County Courthouse and related offices — Closed Dec. 23 through Dec. 27.
Area Agency on Aging for Southeast Arkansas — The senior centers will be closed Dec. 24-25. Southeast Arkansas Transportation will run for dialysis and cancer appointments Dec. 24, but will be closed Dec. 25.
State offices — The state Capitol offices and all state buildings will be closed Dec. 24, and Dec. 25.