MLK event to benefit youth scholarship fund Jan. 16

The Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice will present Supporting Our Youth, Defending Our History at 7 p.m., Friday, Jan. 16, at Epworth United Methodist Church, 19285 Holland Glade Road, Rehoboth Beach.

Paying homage to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the event will focus on the impact young people have had on the civil rights movement.

Paul Williams, TV meteorologist, will deliver the keynote address.

Also appearing will be the Singing and Praying Bands of Maryland and Delaware, the Alliance Singers of CAMP Rehoboth, the Cape Henlopen High School Drum Line and the Milford High School Choir.

The Rev. John Moore of Dover will present his rendition of Dr. King’s “Be an Architect for Humanity” speech. Gwendolyn Miller will perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Laurel Councilwoman RogJenea Fisher  will present a tribute to Rosa Parks.

In keeping with the theme, local youth will speak about heroes of the civil rights movement such as John Lewis, Ella Baker, Fannie Lou Hamer and Andrew Young.

Sussex community leaders speaking at the event will include Charlotte King, founder of the Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice, and the Rev. Marjorie Belmont, pastor of Israel United Methodist Church in Lewes. Emceeing will be Calvin Jackson, president of the Cape Henlopen Educational Foundation.

Proceeds will support the alliance’s youth scholarship program. Joseph Lawson, SDARJ executive director, said, “With all the current cutbacks in services, supporting our youth is one of the most important things we can do. Public engagement is vital.”

To learn more, go to sdarj.org.