President, Clarissa Pace, and the executive committee of the Drew County NAACP Branch 6042 announce plans for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration and Observance. The official day celebration will be on Monday, January 20, 2025, at 6 pm at the Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, 312 E Oakland Ave, Monticello, AR. The theme is “Mission Possible.”
The special guest speaker for the official day event is Attorney Tonya Floyd Chambers of Little Rock, AR. Attorney Chambers is an award-winning speaker, business owners, 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. 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.
She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Rhodes College in Memphis and her Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree from the University of Arkansas School of Law where she graduated on the Dean’s List and served as the Vice-Chairman of the Board of Advocates. She is also an active member of the Place of Harvest Ministries in Little Rock.
President Pace, stated, “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. Our theme is an encouragement that we can protect justice and equality in the spirit of non-violence”.
The Kick-Off Event for the MLK Celebration will be Saturday, January 4. This will be a “Day of Service”.
Dr. 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 am to clean up until 11:30 am. From 11:30 am to 12:30 pm, there will be a reception following at the Monticello Branch Library. Churches, youth groups, sororities, fraternities, organizations, and individuals are welcome to participate. Please contact Dr. Allen at 870.460.5479 to sign up.
The Economic Development Committee will host a Beginners Investment Seminar on Saturday, January 25th at the
Monticello Branch Library from 10 am until 12 noon. Details are forthcoming and the event is open to the public.
Finally, Monticello and Drew Central school districts will join in the celebration with us. There will be essay writing
contests, art contests and special high school presentations. Please inform your children and contact the teachers for
directions. The branch will present first, second, and third place gift cards to winners.
The Youth Council and Youth Works will also observe MLK with the annual Alumni Basketball Game on Saturday, January 18 at 4 pm. Drew Central and Monticello alumni athletes will face off. Part. On MLK Day, January 20, they will host Meet the Greeks at 10 am at the Wilmar Community Center in Wilmar. Contact Stacey Smith at 870.224.6368 for details on either event.
For any other details, call President Pace at 870.723.9820, email: ••••••••••••••••••• or visit dcnaacp6042.org.
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human and civil rights, eliminate discrimination, and accelerate the well-being, education, and economic security of
Black people and all persons of color.
