The Arizona Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Planning Com- mittee is excited to announce that Martin Luther King III and his wife, Arndrea King, are guest speakers at the 36th Annual Arizona Dr. Mar- tin Luther King, Jr. “Believe in the Dream” Celebration. The virtual event will broadcast at 10am Jan. 14.
King and his wife will be in Arizona for a voting rights event scheduled for Jan. 15. They join other notable guests, such as Arizona Congressmen Greg Stanton and Ruben Gallego. This year’s keynote speaker is Rev. Dr. Warren Stewart Sr., who is widely known for his leadership in establishing an Arizona State Holi- day in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. which he writes about in his book, Victory Together for Martin Luther King Jr.
The Arizona Opportunities Industrialization Center (AZOIC), headed by President and CEO Dr. Gene Blue, who manages the Arizona MLK Celebration Committee, said: “God is good. To have the son of this great civil rights leader speak at our 36th year celebration is a true blessing. And, to additionally have Pastor Warren Stewart keynote our 2022 celebration, tells us that we are doing something right.”
The events and activities chair of the Arizona MLK Celebration, Ron Williams, stated: “A greater power is definitely shining on us in Arizona. We are so honored that the King family responded yes to our invitation to participate. And, we’re thrilled to partner with the great team at the City of Phoenix. The Phoenix Human Relations Commission, and Equal Opportunity Department have been awesome to work with. My co-chair, Valerie Churchwell, and I are looking for- ward to an exciting program.”
The mission of the City of Phoenix Human Relations Commission is to promote respect and understanding among all groups by eliminating discrimination throughout Phoenix. Each year, the HRC seeks human rights award nominations to recognize individuals, including youth, who have made an impact on the quality of life in Phoenix.
This year the City’s awards selection committee selected one individual for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Calvin C. Goode “Lifetime Achievement Award”and four individuals for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “Living the Dream” Award.
The Lifetime Achievement Award, named after the late 22-year Phoenix City Councilman Calvin C. Goode, recognizes an individual who has made Phoenix a better place to live by promoting social and economic justice and civil rights. The Living the Dream Award honors individuals who embody the ideas of Dr. King through a person- al commitment to human relations and justice.
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,Calvin C. Goode Lifetime Achievement Award honoree is Robbin Coulon. The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “Living the Dream” Award honorees are: Kim Covington; Lloyd Hopkins; Nadia Khalighi; and Richard Yarbough (pictured at right).
Learn more about the other events and activities which include a youth celebration, candlelight concert, commemorative march and community festival at azmlk.org.