Celebrations around Acadiana will be in-person this year to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy.
Dr. King advocated for communities to desegregate almost 60 years ago, and today, generations thrive as the practice of inclusiveness and equality have been flourishing since the Civil Rights Act of 1964 officiated.
A national holiday, in his name, honors Dr. King on the third Monday of every January. Cities across the country plan celebrations leading up to the day. This year, Monday,January 17, will be Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Here is what's happening around Acadiana to honor Dr. King:
Acadia Parish
On Monday, January 17, in West Crowley, join Crowley Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for a Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration. A parade will be held to honor the late King, at noon. The parade will begin at the MLK Center at 1725 W. Hutchinson Avenue. They say it will proceed down Hutchinson Avenue, then turn right onto Western Avenue to 3rd Street. The parade will u-turn onto Western Avenue to 7th Street and proceed to MLK Park on 7th Street and Avenue C. At 1 PM, there will be a laying of the wreath and a MLK celebration and program. To contact the organizers of the event, contact Sharon B. Rawls, chapter president, at sharon.links@yahoo.com, or Yvonne D. Mills, event chair, at ymills@cox.net.
On Monday, January 17th, in Rayne, a march will begin at 9:30 AM to honor late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and will proceed to the Rayne Civic Center. From there, a flag raising ceremony will take place. The public will take part in a program, a health fair, with door prizes, awards and food. The event will conclude at 3 PM. The Rayne Civic Center is located at 210 Frog Festival Drive.
Lafayette Parish
On Monday, January 17th, The Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Committee of Lafayette is hosting a celebration of the holiday at the Martin Luther King Recreation Center. Due to an increase in the number of COVID cases, the activities will be held on one day. A prayer breakfast and an evening commemorative program will be scheduled in the day's celebration.
The schedule:
- Flag Raising - 8:30 a.m.
- Prayer Breakfast - 8:45 a.m. (speaker will be Chancellor John K. Pierre)
- Evening Commemorative Program - 6:00 p.m. (Speaker will be Honorable Justice Bernette J. Johnson)
The Martin Luther King Recreation Center is located at 309 Cora Street in Lafayette.
You may attend in-person or join the program live by using the following options.
- Internet access to the program is as follows: · The Prayer Breakfast can be seen by clicking here Breakfast or use the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfZ0aXcNJJw
- The Commemorative Program can be seen by clicking here Commemorative Program or use the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfSnQFMk_lU
- Live Television Broadcast to the program via Acadiana Open Channel (AOC) is as follows:
- Cox – TV Channels 3 and 4
- LUS Fiber – TV Channels 15 & 16
On Monday, January 17th, The Real Z1059, will bring, "Living the Dream," A Tribute to the Legendary Life of Dr. King, to address the solutions to the challenges within the Lafayette community.
Living the Dream: "Addressing Solutions to Challenges Within our Community," itinerary are as follows:
- 8:30 AM Flag Raising at the Martin Luther King Recreation Center
- 8:45 AM Prayer Breakfast
- Speaker: Chancellor John K. Pierre, from Southern University Law Center
- 6:00 PM Evening Commemorative Program
- Speaker: Honorable Justice Bernette J. Johnson, Louisiana Supreme Court (Ret.)
Mask and/or face coverings are recommended during indoor activities. The Martin Luther King Recreation Center is located at 309 Cora Street in Lafayette.
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Community cleanup will be held on MLK, Jr. Day in Lafayette. The group will assemble at 9:30 am at Alpha House on 803 N Pierce Street in Lafayette on.
Monday, January 17, 2022. The cleanup begins at 10:00 AM and at noon lunch will be served.
Iberia Parish
On Monday, January 17th, the City of New Iberia will celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a street name dedication in the place of Hopkins St. The dedication event will begin at 1:30 PM at the corner of Hopkins Street and Field Street. Hopkins Street (Hwy. 675) will become the new Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Highway. Guest speaker for the event will be Chloe Willis.
The Annual MLKing “Care & Share A Pair” of Socks will be in Jeanerette on Monday, January 17. The Curb-Side Drop-Off receptacle for new socks is located at the corner of MLKing and Monnot Streets. Annually, the non-profit, Sock’n It!, collects socks for individuals, families and veterans experiencing homelessness, unsheltered and displaced by hurricanes, tornadoes, fires and other natural and man-made disasters.
St. Landry Parish
On Monday, January 17th the city of Opelousas will honor Dr. King in a celebration called "It Starts with Me." They say, "Let us honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King as Holy Ghost Catholic Church host the 40th annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration and memoriam." The parade will begin at 1 PM, starting at South City Park. After the parade, a program will be held at the Holy Ghost Life Center. For more information, contact Mrs. Rebecca Henry at 337-945-5064.
Vermilion Parish
On Monday, January 17 or Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a stump service will be held by the MLK Federal Association of Abbeville. Their event will be held at the corner of Green and IJ Joiner Streets. The event will begin at 9:30 AM. At 10:30 AM, celebrations continue in Abbeville with a motorcade. The line-up will be held at the Greater Pleasant Green Baptist Church and will end at McKinley Scott Park. From 11 AM until noon, in Abbeville, a celebration to honor Dr. King will be held at the McKinley Scot Park.
Future MLK events:
On Saturday, January 29th, in the City of Opelousas, GUNS DOWN POWER UP! will hold an event, "We Together Strong! I Am the Dream and So Are You!" The event will include a march that will begin at South Park at 11 AM on Market Street, and everyone will march to North Park onto Martin Luther King Jr. Street. A speaker will begin at 1 PM, they say. If the public would like to take part in the event, contact Eric Williams at 337-401-2545. Those who would like to make a donation, can donate to Cash App at $gunsdownpowerup. Food and drinks will be provided.
If you would like KATC to include your MLK event in this article, contact our news desk at new@katctv.com or on our desk phone at 337-236-6351.
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