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Newport, Ark. —
A march and a ceremony were held to celebrate the life and accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday in Newport.
Walkers marched from Newport High School to Chosen Generation Ministries located at the Village Mall.
Chosen Generation Ministries Pastor Anthony Coleman helped organize the event and has bigger plans for more like it in the future.
"I understood there were programs for Martin Luther King Jr., but nothing with the magnitude of involving the entire community of all ethnicities," Coleman said. "It was my desire to do something out of the box for our community that would help bring awareness and improve our community. It must take all of us together with one voice and one agenda. This event is just a start for that awareness movement."
Coleman applauds King's efforts to bring about change.
"Dr. King was obviously an activist that brought more awareness for unity and equality, but also a spiritual leader that believed in the foundation and principles of the scripture for those changes towards unity and equality to occur," Coleman said.
Things have changed for the better due to King's work, but there is still more to be accomplished, according to Coleman.
"I believe much equality is in the eyes of the beholder, but we have come a long way, but have many more miles to go," Coleman said. "I would like to say though that we, as African-Americans shouldn't keep looking at others for how we are being treated before looking in the mirror at ourselves."
Coleman also said is it important for people to celebrate King's life.
"A wise man told me to give honor to whom honor is due," Coleman said. "Dr. King paved the way for equality and a better way of life for not only African-Americans, but anyone who was underprivileged."
King's most notable accomplishment as a civil rights activist was how he used peaceful methods to get his message across, according to Coleman.
"Although he was murdered, he always stood on the side of peace," Coleman said.
The Tuckerman High School Choir, led by Kay Person, and the Newport High School Concert Choir, led by Christy Fudge, both performed at a ceremony held at Chosen Generation Ministries.
Paul Anders led the audience in performance of the "Negro National Anthem" and "We Shall Overcome". Lisa Smith-Digsby spoke on "Jackson County Reflections" about honoring persons that were influences in the community and broke racial barriers. Reverend James L. Morgan, Mr. and Mrs. Gazetta Lee, and J.L. Person were also honored during the ceremony.
Coleman thanks Judge Barbara Grififin, Amber Grady, Leroy Mansko, Sharon Pruitt, Kathy Ross, Marcus Mansko, and Smith-Digsby for helping make the event a reality.
A march and a ceremony were held to celebrate the life and accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday in Newport.
Walkers marched from Newport High School to Chosen Generation Ministries located at the Village Mall.
Chosen Generation Ministries Pastor Anthony Coleman helped organize the event and has bigger plans for more like it in the future.
"I understood there were programs for Martin Luther King Jr., but nothing with the magnitude of involving the entire community of all ethnicities," Coleman said. "It was my desire to do something out of the box for our community that would help bring awareness and improve our community. It must take all of us together with one voice and one agenda. This event is just a start for that awareness movement."
Coleman applauds King's efforts to bring about change.
"Dr. King was obviously an activist that brought more awareness for unity and equality, but also a spiritual leader that believed in the foundation and principles of the scripture for those changes towards unity and equality to occur," Coleman said.
Things have changed for the better due to King's work, but there is still more to be accomplished, according to Coleman.
"I believe much equality is in the eyes of the beholder, but we have come a long way, but have many more miles to go," Coleman said. "I would like to say though that we, as African-Americans shouldn't keep looking at others for how we are being treated before looking in the mirror at ourselves."
Coleman also said is it important for people to celebrate King's life.
"A wise man told me to give honor to whom honor is due," Coleman said. "Dr. King paved the way for equality and a better way of life for not only African-Americans, but anyone who was underprivileged."
King's most notable accomplishment as a civil rights activist was how he used peaceful methods to get his message across, according to Coleman.
"Although he was murdered, he always stood on the side of peace," Coleman said.
The Tuckerman High School Choir, led by Kay Person, and the Newport High School Concert Choir, led by Christy Fudge, both performed at a ceremony held at Chosen Generation Ministries.
Paul Anders led the audience in performance of the "Negro National Anthem" and "We Shall Overcome". Lisa Smith-Digsby spoke on "Jackson County Reflections" about honoring persons that were influences in the community and broke racial barriers. Reverend James L. Morgan, Mr. and Mrs. Gazetta Lee, and J.L. Person were also honored during the ceremony.
Coleman thanks Judge Barbara Grififin, Amber Grady, Leroy Mansko, Sharon Pruitt, Kathy Ross, Marcus Mansko, and Smith-Digsby for helping make the event a reality.
