OUR MISSION
Seeking love, compassion, respect and racial harmony for all people.
Tabitha McRunnels
Chair
Message from the Chairperson
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As we step into a new season for the Committee for King, our focus is clear: to move From Vision to Reality. For nearly four decades, CFK has worked to honor Dr. King’s legacy, and now we look ahead to expanding that impact in ways that meet today’s needs and tomorrow’s challenges.
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Our commitment is to build bridges across our community, strengthen partnerships, and create opportunities that empower youth and future leaders. We will continue to celebrate those who have paved the way, while also investing in programs that prepare the next generation to carry the dream forward with courage and compassion.
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Dr. King reminded us that “the time is always right to do what is right.” Guided by that truth, CFK will keep pressing toward justice, unity, and service in all that we do. Together, we can ensure that the dream not only lives on, but grows stronger in the lives we touch.
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In service and hope,
Tabitha McRunnels
Chairperson, Committee for King
HISTORY
PAST: Committee for King began as a City of Tupelo initiative in 1986 to recognize and celebrate the federally mandated Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. Alderman Boyce Grayson initiated the concept with then Mayor Jack Marshall. City Personnel Director Charles Penson was tasked with coordinating the event, and local businesses and individuals were solicited to support the inaugural program at the Tupelo Civic Auditorium and the reception afterwards in the foyer. City employees volunteered to make the program and reception a success. By November of 1986, local citizens, led by attorney Kenneth Mayfield, businesswoman Lola McKinney, and Alderman Boyce Grayson, came together to officially organize the Committee for King. Over the next ten years, the group led the way to re-name part of Highway 45 bypass as “Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.”, rename Green Street School “King Elementary School”, and continued to sponsor annual MLK weekend programs with diverse, dynamic speakers. From 1995-2000, the Lee County Chapter of the NAACP led by Viola Foster assumed responsibility for the work of Committee for King. In 2000, Tupelo citizens again moved forward the organization’s vision of advocating for “love, compassion, respect, and racial harmony for all people”.
PRESENT: After a period of discernment in 2018-2019, Committee for King Board members hired marketing firm LikeMind to assist in the task of re-envisioning and re-branding Committee for King. The Board seeks to increase diversity of age, race, religion, socioeconomic status, etc. on the Committee for King and in the program participants and attendees. The Board looks to expand its work beyond the annual MLK weekend. Members of the Board believe that in order to extend Dr. King’s legacy of social justice, anti-poverty initiatives, and use of nonviolence, we must look for additional ways to meet the needs of the community. The current aging Board needs help with technology and social media communication. A NextGen subcommittee of diverse citizens in their twenties, thirties, and forties are planning new initiatives such as “Shine a Light” and “A Seat at the Table” to add depth to our current programs, and to assist with technology gaps. The Board actively seeks participation from those in the community who value Dr. King’s principles to keep his legacy relevant in our shared community now and into the FUTURE.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Betty Beene
Lindsay Brett
Shawn Brevard
Markel Brooks
Keith Bowdry
Derrick Clay
Ruth Fonden
Carmen Gary
Leticia Gassaway
Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Gladney
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Janette Kirk
Monica Lindsey
Rodney Long
Zell Long
Lola McKinney
Hannah Maharrey
Tabitha McRunnels
Cassandra Moore
Rev. Charles Penson
Teresa Roberts
Martha Swinney
OFFICERS
Tabitha McRunnels: Chair
Hannah McHarrey: Vice-Chair
Derrick Clay: Treasurer
Martha Swinney: Secretay