Here's what is planned in Abilene to celebrate MLK's birthday
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At least four events are planned Monday to honor slain civil rights leader the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
The events begin early and end late.
7 a.m.: Breakfast at HSU
Hardin-Simmons University has organized its first MLK Day Prayer Breakfast.
The event, which is open to the public, will be from 7-8:30 a.m. at Mabee Complex, the university's gym.
Speaking will be:
Demotis Sherman Jr., pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church
Dr. Delvin Atchison, Westside Baptist Church, Lewisville
Mike Harkrider, pastor of Wylie Baptist Church
8:30 a.m.: ACU work day participants meet
A day ahead of the return to the Abilene Christian University campus for the spring term, students, faculty and staff in the College of Education and Human Services will participate in three service projects.
The national holiday to honor King is recognized as a day for community service.
About 50 people are expected to participate.
Projects are planned at:
Abilene ISD Homeless Student Ministry at the district's Hartford Street facility (formerly Reagan Elementary), 5340 Hartford St.
Love and Care Ministries, 233 Fannin St.
Christian Service Center, 3185 North 10th St.
2 p.m.: Marching across the bridge
The traditional bridge march is planned for 2 p.m., starting from the parking lot of the former Carter G. Woodson school, 3424 Cockerell Drive.
Participants can gather beginning at 1:30 for pre-march activities.
The East Highway 80 bridge also is known as the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Bridge.
The march crosses the nearby bridge going west, then returns in eastbound lanes. Bridge lanes are closed during the march to ensure safety.
The public is invited.
6 p.m: Banquet at the Convention Center
Jena Bell, a certified life coach, speaker and entrepreneur, is the guest speaker for the 2023 MLK Banquet, an annual event staged by the Abilene Black Chamber of Commerce.
This year's theme is "Everybody can be great ... because anybody can serve," words spoke by King.
Bell is a former senior healthcare executive. She is the first Black woman to lead a national healthcare program, this one a $29 billion program that serves more than 5 million members.
She is a Texas native and graduate of the University of Texas at Austin.
Tickets are $35 and must be purchased in advance by calling the chamber at 325-672-7950 or Floyd Miller at 325-829-3585. Tickets can be picked up at 3300 South 14th St., Suite 100.
No tickets will be sold at the door, which open at 6 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Here's what is planned in Abilene to celebrate MLK's birthday
