November 21, 2022

​

Re: 2023 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend

​

As Committee for King enters its 36th year of sponsoring Commemorative Services in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., our Board of Directors and volunteers welcome the partnership of civic, business, and faith-based leadership as together we offer diverse and meaningful programming for our community. We are excited to share details of the planned events for January 13-16, 2023. This year’s theme focuses on Dr. King’s life work as “Love in Action”.

​

Friday, January 13 kicks off the full weekend event schedule with a high-energy youth-led “Apollo Night” talent show. Area church youth groups will perform on the Civic Auditorium stage at 6 p.m. Opening acts feature Jimmy Adams and the Adrian Jones Band, along with Stephanie Stubbs and “The Young and Talented of North Mississippi”. Awards given at the end of the show. Many thanks to Attorney and Mrs. Kenneth Mayfield for their consistent support of this event. Free and open to the public.

​

Saturday, January 14 features the Committee for King Awards Banquet at 6 p.m. presented at the Cadence Bank Arena, North Hall at 6 p.m. This family-friendly evening includes uplifting music, a delicious meal, keynote speaker Dr. Alexandria White from Oxford, Mississippi, and the presentation of honored Image Award, Community Service Award, and Drum Major Award. For ticket information, go to committeeforking.org.

​

Sunday, January 15 the Commemorative Service at the Civic Auditorium engages local youth in an interactive discussion led by Von Gordon, Executive Director of the Alluvial Collective and interviewer Dr. Graham Bodie, Professor at the University of Mississippi School of Journalism and New Media. Area drill teams open the 2:30 p.m. program and the MLK Choir will lift us in song. After the program, all are invited for food and fellowship in the Tupelo Middle School cafeteria next door. Shine A Light groups will be on hand to share information at the reception. These groups are invited by Committee for King as they reflect “Love in Action” through their initiatives. Deep thanks to the City of Tupelo and area businesses for their service and donations. The program is free and open to the public.

​

Monday, January 16 the weekend will culminate with a Motorcade and scholarship presentations by the Modern Beauticians of Tupelo. More detailed information is on committeeforking.org website.

​

This full weekend schedule is made by possible by you, our generous sponsors. Please review the attached sheet for sponsorship levels and logistics. Please direct any questions you may have to Cliff Campbell at (859) 948-2529 or Martha Swinney at (662) 416-7660. As a 501C3 nonprofit entity, your gifts are tax-deductible as allowable by law. We sincerely thank you for your support.