The Wake Forest community, young and old, of all colors and persuasions, will gather Thursday night, Jan. 21, to honor a man who worked, sacrificed and died for the cause of equality and justice, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The 23rd annual Wake Forest celebration of Dr. King’s life and work will be held at Friendship Chapel Baptist Church, 237 Friendship Chapel Road, beginning at 6 p.m. with a light meal followed by the program at 7 p.m.
The featured speaker will be Dr. Thomas Jackson, pastor emeritus at Wake Forest Baptist Church. Mayor Vivian Jones will welcome the audience.
The theme for the evening is a quote from Dr. King: “Not everybody can be famous, but everyone can be great. . . . Greatness is determined by service.” Students in Wake Forest and Rolesville schools were asked to participate in three contests – performance of a song, poetry, composition or a Dr. King speech, writing and drawing – all referring to this year’s theme. The efforts will be judged the Saturday before the celebration, and the winners will be announced and introduced during the program.
The local groups participating in the celebration include the Wake Forest Human Relations Council, Friendship Chapel Baptist Church, Heritage Baptist Church, Wake Forest Baptist Church and Wakefield Family Church. Other supporters include Faith Tabernacle United Holy Church, Corinth United Church of Christ, New Bethel Baptist Church in Rolesville, Olive Branch Baptist Church, Wake Forest Methodist Church and the Kiwanis Club of Wake Forest.
The committee members include James Grant, Margo Grant, Lori Moss, the Rev. Enoch Holloway, Marion Holloway, Peggy Blake, Carol Pelosi, and Pat Odoms.
The section of Friendship Chapel Road where the church is can only be reached from South Main Street. It is the intersection to the east south of the N.C. 98 Bypass, and the church is across from the Town of Wake Forest Public Works office.
For more information, contact Margo Grant at 908-672-8115.
