Local News
Close to home for Jan. 17
In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his birthday on Monday, this weekend’s column presents a variety of events outside of downtown Atlanta in which you may want to participate in tribute to him. We’d like you to share your pictures from the holiday. Upload photos at www.ajc.com/mlkday2015
Today in Riverdale, Doraville
- 8:30 a.m. Riverdale Town Centre, 7210 Church St.: U.S. Surgeon General and Assistant Secretary of Health during the Clinton administration, David Satcher is the guest speaker for the Clayton County Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast. Reservations are required. surgeongeneral.gov/about/previous/biosatcher.html. Tickets: State Sen. Gail Davenport, D-Jonesboro, 678-215-9971, 770-478-7916.
- 2:30 to 4 p.m. Doraville Library, 3748 Central Ave.: Ages 10 to 17 are invited to the MLK Day of Service to prepare craft kits for the summer Vacation Reading Program and beautify the library, ending with a birthday celebration. 770-936-3852.
Sunday in Jonesboro, Kennesaw
- 3:30 p.m. Andrews Chapel United Methodist Church, 122 Watterson St., Jonesboro: the Rev. Anthony Motley, president of the New Era State Convention of Georgia and senior pastor of Lindsay Street Baptist Church in Atlanta, delivers the sermon for the Clayton County Ecumenical Service. thegospelchoiceawards.com/motley.php, youngbossinc.com/acumc/index.php, 770-471-7200.
- 5 p.m., Kennesaw Mountain High School auditorium, 1898 Kennesaw Due West Road: "United We Stand, Divided We Fall" is an initiative of Thankful Baptist Church of Kennesaw, other local churches and the city of Kennesaw. This fifth annual MLK celebration focuses on youths, with the reading of essays about unity, interpretive dance and a community choir. Also, Trailblazer Award scholarships will be given to high school seniors who will enter college in the fall. Cobbk12.org/KennesawMountain, mlkjrdaycelebrate@tbkministries.org or Thankful Baptist Church at 678-797-0611.
- 6 p.m. Bobbie Bailey and Family Performing Arts Center, 488 Prillaman Way, Kennesaw State University campus, Kennesaw: Angela Davis, the author and scholar who began her career as a Civil Rights Movement activist more than 40 years ago, delivers the keynote address for KSU's Martin Luther King Jr. Day observance. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. for this event sponsored by the KSU African-American Student Alliance. Free. smcgrif1@kennesaw.edu, 470-578-2550.
Monday in Marietta, Acworth, Sandy Springs, Jonesboro, Decatur, Lithonia, Fayetteville
- 10 a.m. Jennie T. Anderson Theatre, Cobb Civic Center, 548 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta: Cobb County Government and the Cobb County Branch NAACP host "50 Years Later: Believe It, Achieve It" to celebrate the life and works of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. 770-425-5757.
- 10 a.m. Acworth City Hall, 4415 Senator Russell Ave.: The city hosts the MLK Day Celebration and Annual Day of Service. After the ceremony, the Acworth Achievers Mentoring and After School Program invites volunteers to join them in working on a service project in the community. Mychal Lewis, mlewis@acworth.org.
- 11 a.m. St. Philip Benizi Parish Hall, 591 Flint River Road, Jonesboro: The Clayton County NAACP hosts John A. Stokes, an original plaintiff in "Brown vs. the Board of Education," signing his book "Students on Strike" about growing up in oppressive conditions of the Jim Crow South. JohnAStokes.com, StPhilipBenizi.org/95. Signed book reservations: Clayton NAACP, 404-424-6567.
- 12:30 p.m. Green Pastures Christian Ministries Inc., 5455 Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur to MLK Jr. High School, 3991 Snapfinger Road/MLK Parkway, Lithonia for the 2:30 p.m. rally: The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. parade and rally of the DeKalb NAACP Branch is free. Chairperson Sarah Copelin-Wood, schoolsandcommunity@yahoo.com.
- 5 p.m. Sam's Auditorium, 205 Lafayette Trail, Fayetteville: The Fayette County Republican Party presents a musical tribute to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr and his legacy. "Let Freedom Sing" will be directed by Tyrone Jones and include Fayette County and Atlanta artists. Free. myfayettegop.org/events/let_freedom_sing, 770-716-1545.
