Monday, January 20, marks what would have been the 91st birthday of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
King played a pivotal role in the American civil rights movement during the mid-1950s and 60s until his untimely death in 1968 when he was assassinated. He worked diligently with others in an effort to seek equality and human rights for African Americans, the economically disadvantaged, and all victims of racial injustice. He utilized peaceful protests and was instrumental in events including the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the 1963 March on Washington where he delivered his widely known “I Have a Dream” speech.
His non-violent efforts helped bring about such landmark legislation as the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Acts. His tireless efforts also earned him the TIME “Man of the Year” award and the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize, the youngest person to receive this award. Since 1986, Dr. King is remembered each year on the third Monday of January, known as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
In observance of this holiday, the 3P (Pondering and Planning with a Purpose) Ministry, along with the Citizens in Alliance have scheduled a weekend of events which includes a MLK Awards banquet, a prayer breakfast, annual march and Dr. King program.
On Friday, January 17, the third annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Awards banquet will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Zion District Building, located at 213 Justy Street in Winona. The speaker will be Dr. Flonzie Brown Wright. Dr. Wright, a native of rural Farmhaven, is the only daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Frank and Littie Brown, Sr. She and her brothers, Sydney and Frank, Jr., who are deceased, grew up in Canton. She attended both public and private schools of Farmhaven and Canton. Wright received a Fain Fellowship and attended Tougaloo College, where her concentration was Political Science, Pre-Law and Black History. She graduated from the Institute of Politics at Millsaps College in Jackson and served the college as Vice-President of the Institute where she taught, “Grass-roots Organizing and Campaign Management.” She is the recipient of two honorary degrees, the Doctor of Humane Letters from LaMoyne College in Syracuse, New York and the Doctor of Humane Letters from Tougaloo College in 2018.
Wright’s employment and professional career has spread from the dusty roads of Mississippi to the White House as she interacted with many individuals of national prominence. She was inspired to become involved in the civil rights movement in 1963, just after the assassination of Medgar Evers. Her inspiration continues in a myriad of creative community initiatives across the country where she lectures and provides motivational opportunities to a cross section of audiences. She continues to be a much sought-after speaker.
On November 5, 1968, 51 years ago, Wright was the first African-American female elected to public office in a bi-racial Mississippi town. The position of election commissioner in Canton allowed her to correct many voting rights injustices throughout the state. As a result of her work, The Flonzie Brown Goodloe Court Room was named in her honor at City Hall in Canton in 2016
She authored and published her first book, “Looking Back To Move Ahead”, in 1994. In 1999, the book became a Best Seller for an Independent Author. Flonzie is the recipient of more than 400 National, State, Church and Community Service Awards including the National FBI Citizens Award presented by former FBI Director James Comey in 2017 in Washington, DC, the “Servant Leader Award” (National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials, 2019), Drum Major For Justice Award (SCLC, 2001) and the “Phenomenally She Outstanding African American Women Award.” She is a member of the National Association of Female Executives, NAACP, SCLC, NCNW and Women for Progress, Inc., among other organizations.
She is President and CEO of FBW & Associates, Inc., a marketing consultant firm, and is founder of The Flonzie B. Wright Scholarship Fund, a fund designed to encourage students to stay in school. This fund has provided more than $45,000 in scholarship dollars and other enhancements to many students.
Dr. Wright is featured in the documentary, “Standing on My Sisters’ Shoulders.” This award-winning film honors women, who were involved in the Southern Civil Rights Movement, including Mrs. Annie Devine, Mayor Unita Blackwell and Joan Trumpauer Mulholland, to name a few. They were honored for this work at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. She has been featured in Purpose Magazine, Tomorrow’s South, “Black America Series, Madison County, MS”, “The Sip” and has self-produced 2 documentaries, “Standing Tall in Tough Times” and “Before I’ll Be Your Slave.”
The fourth annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. prayer breakfast is scheduled for Monday, January 20, 2020 at 8:00 a.m. at the Zion District Building. Mr. Willie White of Grenada is the keynote speaker. Mr. White, a native of Canton, attended Alcorn State University in 1967 on a track scholarship. He later moved to San Diego, Ca. where he lived and worked for more than 40 years. He served 21 years in the United States Navy on active duty and 10 years on reserve duty. During his service in the military, he served three tours in the Vietnam War. He later graduated from Defense Acquisition University in San Diego, California.
After retiring from the military, Willie worked as a Logistic Management Specialist for Naval Air Technical Data and Engineering Service Command (NATEC), which is a department of the defense supporting the war fighters. He was inducted into The San Diego Aero Space Museum Hall of Champions in Balboa Park in San Diego, Ca. in 1989 for honors he received during the war, along with numerous other medals and awards. His tenure as an athlete, a high school, college and military track coach spanned for more than forty years combined. During those years he received all conference honors in football and track for the U. S. Navy. Mr. White qualified in Track & Field for the U.S. Olympic Team in 1972, but due to military obligations, he was unable to attend. He was honored as California High School Coach of the year five times and received the KGTV Channel 10 San Diego Award in 1999 for outstanding citizenship in the community. He served as Chaplain and spiritual leader for the Mill Park Boys Home in Grenada, MS. In 2017, he was recognized by Congressman Bennie G. Thompson and the House of Representative as an educator, leader and devoted public servant. Mr. White was also inducted into the Alcorn State University National Hall of Honor in 2019.
Mr. White is married to Mildrette Netter White, a 1968 Olympic Gold Medalist. He is the father of four children and a dedicated Christian, a member of Greater Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Gore Springs. He is an active member of the Montgomery-Carroll-Grenada Alcorn State University Alumni Chapter and Alcorn State University National Alumni. Additionally, he serves as senior ambassador for Grenada County Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the 100 Black Men of Grenada, Inc. and the American Legion and VFW Post 5179.
Following the prayer breakfast, the 30th annual Dr. King march will begin at 11:00 a.m. Participants will assemble at the J.J. Knox Gym on Powell Street. Festivities will culminate with the 30th annual observance of Dr. M.L. King, Jr. Holiday at 12:00 noon at the Montgomery County Courthouse on Summit Street. Rev. T.D. Hughes of Third Baptist Church of Chicago, IL is the keynote speaker.
T.D. Hughes is a 21st century inspirational leader who on March 24, 2019 was inducted as the third Senior Pastor of Third Baptist Church of Chicago. Prior to this role, he served as Associate Pastor of the Youth and Young Adult Ministry. A respected leader in the business community, Hughes began a banking career in 2001 at Seaway National Bank, under the leadership of the late Jacoby Dickens. He elevated to Sr. Associate V.P. of J.P. Morgan’s Private Bank providing strategic solutions and wealth management for clients in the Ultra High Net worth Division. His credentials include FINRA and NASAA series 6, 7, 63, 65 securities and State of Illinois licenses. His dedication to clients is mirrored in his continued commitment to the community, where he provides financial literacy workshops for individuals and organizations.
Academically, he graduated Cum Laude with a BA in Speech, and English from Chicago State University. He went on to receive his Master of Divinity from Northern Theological Seminary, with Magna Cum Laude honors and is currently working towards his Doctorate in 2021.
In the pulpit Pastor Hughes is a prolific preacher who stirs the hearts of those who hear him with his open and honest delivery of the Word of God. “I am inspired to leave a positive mark and legacy on the community, city and world by building a vibrant and impactful ministry that meets people where they are.” T.D. Hughes is married to Tonisha K. Hughes. They are the proud parents of Mia Madison Hughes and Kai Brooklyn Hughes. He is the son of Maverick and Katherine Hughes of Kilmichael.
