King Day 2023 Events

*37th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr., Day Memorial Celebration*

Sponsored by Families Engagement Program Inc., Honoring the legacy of Wilhelmina Johnson and Darlington County Cultural Realism Center. Event begins at 11:00 AM on January 16, 2023.

*2023 Resurrecting the Dream Awards*

The 2023 Resurrection Restoration Center for the Homeless Awards Ceremony is an event created in celebration of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday. The words of consideration for all humankind articulated in Dr. King's, I Have a Dream speech inspired our founders to create a center for the homeless. Moreover, it is the theme of humanitarian equality for everyone, including the "Homeless" expressed in Dr. King's Dream that has inspired Modestine Brody so much that she has declared, "I have a Dream that one day Homelessness will be a thing of the Past!"

The semi-formal event will be Friday, January 13, 2023 beginning at 6:00 PM at First Presbyterian Church in Florence. The event also serves as a fundraiser for the Resurrection Restoration Center For The Homeless. Tickets are $50.00 per person. The event is hosted by Restoration Center For The Homeless and Etrulia’s Arms Family Center.

*The Florence Branch NAACP Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Celebration*

The Florence Branch NAACP will sponsor its annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative celebration on Monday, January 16, 2023 at 7:00 P.M., Majority Baptist Church, 414 N Coit Street, Florence, South Carolina 29501, Rev. Dr. Alphonso Porter, Pastor.

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther Quick, Pastor, Cumberland United Methodist Church in Florence is the speaker.

This year’s theme is – IF IT HAPPENED ONCE: IT CAN HAPPEN AGAIN. The public is invited to attend. Please join us on Monday, January 16th, at 7:00 PM

Contact, Jerry Keith, Jr., President at 843-673-0693 or at flobranchnaacp@att.net if you have questions.

*Community Empowerment Center MLK Weekend Events*

Community Empowerment Center, 1113 Oakland Avenue, Florence, SC (Former Weed And Seed Building)

"Elevating-Equipping-Empowering" Dr. Martin Luther King Holiday Weekend Of Services begins Saturday, January 14, 2023-11:00am-3:00pm with a Community Health And Wellness Day featuring Health Services, Wellness And Screenings

Monday, January 2023-12:00pm-2:00pm Youth Empowerment Day And Community Non-Perishable Food Drive “Reclaiming The Village” Your Health Is Our Priority

Temperature Check In.

*“Where Do We Go From Here?” A Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration*

Monday, January 16, 2023 from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM Kingdom Living Temple will be hosting a very enlightening roundtable discussion with invited guests, Madam Teresa Myers-Ervin, Mayor, City Of Florence, South Carolina; Mr. Mike Miller, President, Chamber Of Commerce, Florence, South Carolina; Councilwoman Lashonda Nesmith-Jackson, City Of Florence, South Carolina; Senator Mike Reichenbach, South Carolina - District 31; Mary Kelly, President, Chamber Of Commerce, Lake City, South Carolina; Representative Pat Henegan, South Carolina - District 54; Bishop Michael A. Blue, The Door Of Hope Christian Church, Marion, South Carolina; Councilwoman Tassie Lewis, Marion County, South Carolina; Mr. Larry Smith, Owner, DBS Communications; and Mr. Jerry Keith, Chapter President, NAACP, Florence, South Carolina. Moderated By: Reverend Leo Woodberry, Pastor, Kingdom Living Temple, Florence, South Carolina

*Second annual MLK Unity Celebration*

The legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. will be the focus of the second annual MLK Unity Celebration on the steps of Camden City Hall on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023. The program, sponsored by the Concerned Citizens of Kershaw County and its partners, will be preceded by a march from the African American Cultural Center on York Street.

“Our goal is to create a beloved community and this will require a qualitative change in our souls as well as a quantitative change in our lives.” --Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

*2023 Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration*

On Thursday, January 12, The Florence Chamber of Commerce will partner with Francis Marion University and McLeod Health to host the 24th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. event. The annual celebration will take place at 6:30 p.m. at Francis Marion University’s Chapman Auditorium. This year’s speaker will be Rev. Norman Gamble of New Ebenezer Baptist Church. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information call Les Echols at the Chamber at (843) 519-0934.

*FMU Hosts 24th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration*

Francis Marion University will host its 24th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration in Chapman Auditorium on campus Thursday, January 12 at 6:30 p.m.

This year’s keynote speaker is Rev. Norman Gamble, pastor of New Ebenezer Baptist Church in Florence. The event will be emceed by members of the FMU Student Government Association and Campus Activities Board. It will also feature special music from the Young Gifted and Blessed Gospel Choir.

A native of Salters, South Carolina, Rev. Gamble is a humanitarian who has spent the majority of his life serving his church and community. He holds a Master of Divinity in Theology from Colgate-Rochester Divinity School (‘83).

*People to People Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Service Award Program*

The public is invited to attend People to People of Hartsville’s Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Service Award Program.

Theme: Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “We Still Have a Dream,” on Monday January 16th from 12 noon to 1:30 in the Historic Jerusalem Baptist Church Fellowship Hall 301 S. 6th Street, Hartsville.

Keynote Speaker will be Mr. Michael Harriot, former native of Hartsville, Columnist and writer for the Grio and The Guardian. Live Entertainment by Jerusalem Baptist Church’s Men Ensemble and Ms. Brenda Addison.

A Complimentary Lunch prepared by The AKA’S of Hartsville. For More Information call Ms. Barbara Carraway at 843-409-5241.

*MLK Annual Parade on Jan 14, 2023*

The Martin Luther King Jr. annual parade will begin at 10 a.m. on Ocean Blvd. at 15th Ave. N. to 8th Ave. N. in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

For additional events during the MLK Celebration visit https://www.facebook.com/MLKMyrtleBeach

*Kingstree commemorates 50th anniversary of MLK speech*

KINGSTREE, SC A public celebration commemorates one of only three speeches historians say Dr. Martin Luther King ever gave in the Palmetto State.

Congressman Jim Clyburn and former South Carolina Rep. Bakari Sellers are scheduled to speak at an event in Kingstree where King delivered his March on Ballot Boxes speech on May 8, 1966.

The speech came months after then President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into law in August 1965. The act was designed to prohibit racial discrimination at the polls.

"Once more we have the opportunity to send to the congress of the United States competent, qualified, dedicated black men and women," King told the crowd during the speech.

The original speech delivered by King will be shown by the University of South Carolina archives.

The event at Tomlinson High School Athletic Fields will include a gospel celebration at 6 p.m. A state historical marker will also be placed at the site.

*Chester County MLK Celebration Committee*

The 31st Annual MLK Celebration Parade will be held Sunday, January 23rd @ 3:00 pm. Line-up will start at 1:00 pm.

If interested, visit the Chester County MLK Celebration Committee page on Facebook to download and complete the parade entry form. Contact one of following numbers below or a MLK committee member to SUBMIT your parade entry fee ($$) and completed form.

For questions or concerns, email us at mlkcelebrationcommitteechester@gmail.com or call us: (803) 280-6453 or (803) 385-3271