(COLUMBIA, Tenn. – Jan. 12, 2017) - - - Columbia State Community College’s Office of Access and Diversity will host its annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration program on Jan. 19 at 6:30 p.m. The tribute to King will take place in the Cherry Theater and will feature poetry, music, prayer and reflections on the Civil Rights Movement leader.
Martin said this year’s theme is “Celebrating the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: Reflecting on a Non-Violent Leader during Violence in America Today.”
“Columbia State continues to celebrate the life of King,” Dr. Christa Martin, assistant to the president for access and diversity. “His teachings and promotion of nonviolent civil disobedience is still relevant today.”
King, a prominent African American leader, was best known for his role in the advancement of civil rights using nonviolent civil disobedience.
The program features keynote speaker the Rev. Troy Merritt, Jr., presiding elder of North Nashville District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
In addition, the Columbia State choir will perform under the direction of Emily Gaskill, associate professor of music. Praise dancers from Friendship Missionary Baptist Church will also participate in the evening’s program.
The Cherry Theater is in the Waymon L. Hickman Building on the Columbia Campus, located at 1665 Hampshire Pike. The event is free and open to the public.
In case of inclement weather, the program will be rescheduled for Jan. 24 at 6:30 p.m.
Photo Caption: The Rev. Troy Merritt, Jr. (Provided by: rhinopic.com)
Columbia State is a two-year college, serving a nine-county area in southern Middle Tennessee with locations in Columbia, Franklin, Lawrenceburg, Lewisburg and Clifton. As Tennessee’s first community college, Columbia State is committed to increasing access and enhancing diversity at all five campuses. Columbia State is a member of the Tennessee Board of Regents, one of the largest higher education systems in the nation. For more information, please visit www.ColumbiaState.edu.
Tennessee’s Community Colleges is a system of 13 colleges offering a high-quality, affordable, convenient and personal education to prepare students to achieve their educational and career goals in two years or less. We offer associate degree and certificate programs, workforce development programs and transfer pathways to four-year degrees. For more information, please visit us online at tncommunitycolleges.org.
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