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2019 King Holiday Celebration Events Announced

 The Durham Community MLK Steering Committee, Inc. will hold its 2019 King Holiday Celebration Events,  King's Vision: Humanity Tied in a Single Garment of Destiny, beginning Monday, January 7, 2019 through Monday, January 21, 2019 in honor of the life, service and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

All events are free and open to the public.

The Events are as follows:           Tuesday, January 7, 2019 - 7:00pM
          City Hall - City Council Chambers
          101 City Hall Plaza, Durham, NC 27701           Monday, January 21, 2019 - 7:00AM (Breakfast Served 6:00AM - 8:00AM)
​          Sheraton Imperial Hotel & Convention Center, 4700 Emperor Boulevard, Research Triangle Park, NC 27703
​          Sponsored by The Triangle Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee           Monday, January 21, 2019 - 10:30AM
          Beginning at the NC Mutual Life Insurance Company - 411 West Chapel Hill Street, Durham, NC 27701 & concluding at First  
          Presbyterian Church - 305 E. Main Street, Durham, NC 27701
         *Bring new children's books for donation to the Book Harvest's Dream Big Book Drive           Monday, January 21, 2019 - 1:00PM - 4:00PM
           Durham Central Park, 501 Foster Street, Durham, NC 27701
​          Sponsored by Book Harvest NC ​           Monday, January 21, 2019 - 2:30PM - 5:00PM
​          Jubilee Home
         404 East Umstead Street, Durham, NC 27701
​          Sponsored by Jubilee Home and Charles Hamilton Houston Foundation, Inc.           Keynote Speaker - Rev. Dr. William C. Turner, Jr., Pastor, Mount Level Missionary Baptist Church -
         Durham, NC
         Monday, January 21, 2019 - 6:00PM
​         Mount Level Missionary Baptist Church, 316 Hebron Road, Durham, NC 27704

Participants of the Unity March & Rally are asked to bring new and gently used children's books for donation to the Book Harvest's Dream Big Book Drive & Community Celebration.  Donation bends will be available at NC Mutual Life Insurance Company and First Presbyterian Church. 

In addition, the Durham Community MLK Steering Committee, Inc. will present the 2019 Keeper of the Dream Awards will be presented to one individual and one organization and Academic Scholarships will be awarded to graduating seniors attending public schools in Durham at the Annual Religious Service. Attendees of the Annual Religious Service are asked to bring new children's books for donation to the Book Harvest's Dream Big Book Drive & Community Celebration. 

The work of the MLK Steering Committee depends exclusively on the support of individuals, faith & civic organizations, businesses, corporations and foundations.  To make a tax-deductible donation, click here.

Nominations Extended for 2019 Keeper of the Dream Award

The Durham Community Martin Luther King, Jr. Steering Committee, Inc. is now accepting nominations for the 2019 Keeper of the Dream Award. Nomination submissions deadline has been extended to Monday, January 14 2019. To view the instructions, click here and to make a nomination, click here.

The Keeper of the Dream Award is a public recognition of individuals, organizations, or institutions for outstanding leadership and/or service to improve the quality of life for all citizens and work toward racial equality, human rights, peace and economic justice for all people.

Annually, the Durham Community MLK Steering Committee, Inc. acknowledges one individual and one organization. ​

Durham Community MLK Steering Committee, Inc. awards 2018 Academic Scholarships

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The Durham Community MLK Steering Committee, Inc. awarded Academic Scholarships to graduating high school seniors in the amount of $500.00.  The following students received Academic Scholarships:
  • Lareine Gohi is a senior at Southern School of Engineering and Sustainability.  She plans to attend either North Carolina State University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of North Carolina at Wilmington,  University of North Carolina at Charlotte or Wake Forest University to pursue a career as a first African-American Japanese animator, voice actor or music educator.  Scholarship funded by Healthy Start Academy.
  • Desmond Grady, Jr. is a senior at Hillside High School. He plans to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and major in Biology to pursue a career as a general physician. Scholarship funded by 24the District of PHA.
  • Maurice McKellar, III is a senior at Hillside New Tech High School. He plans to attend North Carolina Central University and major in Computer Science with a minor in Art to pursue a career as a game designer, cartoonist or animator.  Scholarship funded by MRs. Naomi T. Jackson.
  • Bryson Satterwhite is a senior at Hillside High School.  He is President of Shi Omega Lambda, Treasurer for the Student Body Government, and Vice President of the Distributive Educational Clubs of America. He plans to attend Morehouse College and major in Biology and Environmental Engineering to pursue a career with the Environmental Protection Agency.  Scholarship funded by Hillside High School Class of 1955.
  • Daysean Scott is a senior at Riverside High School. He is a member of the Junior National Society of Black Engineers and Riverside Marching Band.  He plans to attend North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University or East Carolina University and major in Electrical Engineering to design an electric battery to give electric cars greater travel distance. Scholarship funded by H&R Block.
  • Madison Wheaton is a senior at Durham School of the Arts. She is a member of the varsity cheerleaders, dancer and member of the National Council of Negro 
    Women Youth Section.  She plans to attend either the University of North Carolina at Charlotte or North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University and is undecided about the field of study she will pursue. Scholarship funded by Duke Energy.
  • Justin Wright. is a senior at Hillside High School. He plans to attend Hampton University and major in Performing Arts in order to pursue a career as an actor.  Scholarship funded by New Jerusalem Baptist Cathedral.

In addition, Lareine Gohi received the Frank Howard Alston Educator Award in recognition of her outstanding academic achievement. Maurice McKellar, III received the MLK Promise Award as a male student who is academically gifted, exhibits leadership abilities, serves in his community and plans to attend a historically black college or university.
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Durham Community MLK Steering Committee, Inc. awards 2018 Keeper of the Dream Award

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The 2018 Keeper of the Dream Award is a public recognition of individuals, organizations, or institutions for outstanding leadership and/or service to improve the quality of life for all citizens and work toward racial equality, human rights, peace and economic justice for all people.  The recipients were Dr. Georgiary Bledsoe and the Carolina Times.

Dr. Georgiary Bledsoe is the Founder and Executive Director of BUMP: The Triangle which  serves and empowers underserved youth in the community through the music of the African Diaspora.  Since 2014, BUMP: The Triangle has provided after school programs, seminars and workshops to help youth succeed in school and explore the many facets of African Diaspora music. Dr.Bledsoe has worked to emphasize the importance of race relations, racial identity and pride through programs in public schools, the Durham Housing Authority and religious communities. She has previously served as Visiting Scholar at Duke University and a Mellow Postdoctoral Fellow and Instructor for Brandeis University. 
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Reverend William E. Daye is the founder and Pastor Emeritus of Peace Missionary Baptist Church in Durham, North Carolina where he served as the faithful and radiant leader from 1974 to 2017. He has carried the banner of Christ in tireless offerings of teaching and preaching throughout the state for over fifty five years.

Reverend Daye, a native son of Durham, NC received his early education in the Durham County School System. In 1963 he enrolled in Virginia Seminary College in Lynchburg, VA, later transferring to Southeastern Theological Seminary in Wake Forest where he earned his Associate of Divinity degree in 1968. He later matriculated to Shaw University where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1976.   He continued his education earning a Master of Divinity from Southeastern in 1981.
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Reverend Daye received Christ and was converted in 1949. As a youth he received his earliest religious training from devout parents and the influence of the historic, Mt. Level Baptist Church in Durham. While still a young man, in 1959 he yielded to the irrepressible call from God to the gospel ministry. He was ordained to the Ministry on June 6, 1960. Over the years he served as Pastor to seven churches, including Peace Missionary Baptist.
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The Carolina Times was founded as The Standard Advertiser in 1921 by Charles Arrant, who died in 1922. In 1927 Louis E. Austin, originally from Enfield, North Carolina, purchased the paper and renamed it The Carolina Times. He transformed the paper into the most important voice for black North Carolinians during the 1930s.
Austin edited and published The Carolina Times from 1927 until his death in 1971. The paper’s motto was “The Truth Unbridled,” and Austin used the paper to publicize racial inequities and to fight for racial equality in North Carolina and throughout the United States. The paper continues to be published today by Austin’s grandson, Kenneth Edmonds.

2018 King Holiday Celebration Events Announced

 The Durham Community MLK Steering Committee, Inc. will hold its 2018 King Holiday Celebration Events,  MLK50 Forward: Together We Win with Love for Humanity, beginning Tuesday, January 2, 2018 through Monday, January 15, 2018 in honor of the life, service and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

All events are free and open to the public.

The Events are as follows:           Tuesday, January 2, 2018 - 7:00pM
          City Hall - City Council Chambers
          101 City Hall Plaza, Durham, NC 27701           Monday, January 15, 2018 - 7:15AM
​          Sheraton Imperial Hotel & Convention Center, 4700 Emperor Boulevard, Research Triangle Park, NC 27703
​          Sponsored by The Triangle Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee ​           Monday, January 15, 2018 - 10:30AM - 1:00PM
​          Northgate Mall, 1058 West Club Boulevard, Durham, NC 27701
​          Sponsored by Moms Rising, Durham Community Martin Luther King, Jr. Steering Committee, and other community
​          organizations            Monday, January 15, 2018 - 1:00PM - 4:00PM
​          Durham Central Park, 501 Foster Street, Durham, NC 27701
​          Sponsored by Book Harvest NC          Keynote Speaker - Dr. Linda Wright Bryan, Associate Professor of Mission & Ministry - Shaw University
        Divinity School - Raleigh, NC
         Monday, January 15, 2018 - 6:00PM
​         Peace Missionary Baptist Church, 2608 Apex Highway, Durham, NC 27713

Participants of the Unity March & Rally are asked to bring new and gently used children's books for donation to the Book Harvest's Dream Big Book Drive.  Donation bends will be available at NC Mutual Life Insurance Company and First Presbyterian Church. 

​Families are invited to the 8th Annual Birthday Party Honoring the Life & Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. which will provide the perfect opportunity to talk with children about justice, service, and working together to change things for the better.

In addition, the Durham Community MLK Steering Committee, Inc. will present the 2018 Keeper of the Dream Awards will be presented to one individual and one organization and Academic Scholarships will be awarded to graduating seniors attending Durham Public Schools at the Annual Religious Service.

All events are free and open to the public.

The work of the MLK Steering Committee depends exclusively on the support of individuals, faith & civic organizations, businesses, corporations and foundations.  To make a tax-deductible donation, click here.

 MLK Steering Committee receives grant from North Carolina Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission

The North Carolina Martin Luther King (MLK) Commission has selected the Durham Community Martin Luther King, Jr. Steering Committee as a FY 2017 Martin Luther King, Jr. grant recipient.  As a result, the Commission offers Durham Community Martin Luther King, Jr. Steering Committee, Inc. an award in the amount of $1,500.00 for the MLK Let Freedom Ring Quiz Bowl.

The purpose of the MLK Let Freedom Ring Quiz Bowl is to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., by educating middle school youth about Dr. King’s work toward racial equality and economic justice for all people for his commitment to nonviolence and for his stand against war and militarism through question and answers.  The questions will be about his life, speeches, philosophy and the application of those teachings in community service. The MLK Let Freedom Ring Quiz Bowl seeks to test and inform youth knowledge of Dr. King and increase awareness of the contributions he made toward equal rights.

The overall goals of the MLK Commission Grant Program are to engage children in peer-to-peer educational activities that disseminate information about the life and philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and to capture the outcomes of such activities.

The date and location of the MLK Let Freedom Ring Quiz Bowl are forthcoming.

Durham Community MLK Steering Committee, Inc. awards 2017 Academic Scholarships

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The Durham Community MLK Steering Committee, Inc. awarded Academic Scholarships to graduating high school seniors in the amount of $500.00.  The following students received Academic Scholarships:
  • John Alexander Batey, Jr. is a senior at Hillside High School. He plans to attend Morehouse College and major in Biology in order to pursue a career in medicine.
  • Jamal Deondre Bobo is a senior at Hillside New Tech High School. He plans to attend North Carolina A&T State University and major in Mechanical Engineering to pursue a career as an Aviation Technician.
  • Keiyonda Autaisa Crowder is a senior at Southern School of Sustainability and Engineering. She plans to attend either the University of North Carolina or North Carolina State University to pursue a career as a dentist or veterinarian.
  • Nzia Imani Hall is the daughter of Arteia Cobb. She is a senior at City of Medicine Academy. She is involved with track and field, volleyball, Future Business Leaders of America, City of Medicine Ambassadors and Students of Service. She plans to attend North Carolina A&T State University and eventually pursue a career as a neurologist.
  • JaQuez Damar Baker Harrell is a senior at Southern School of Sustainability and Engineering. He plans to attend the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and major in biology to pursue a career as an epidemiologist.
  • Shondale Amir Rhodes is a senior at J.D. Clements Early College High School. He plans to attend North Carolina A&T State University and major in computer science.
  • Zakee Ameer Simmons is a senior at Hillside High School.  He plans to attend Hampton University and major in mass communications

In addition, Nzia Imani Hall received the Frank Howard Alston Educator Award in recognition of her outstanding academic achievement. Keiyonda Autaisa Crowder received the Thomas Davis Leadership Award for exhibiting exemplary leadership. She is active as the president of the Student Government at Southern School of Sustainability and Engineering. John Alexander Batey, Jr. received the MLK Promise Award as a male student who is academically gifted, exhibits leadership abilities, serves in his community and plans to attend a historically black college or university.

Durham Community MLK Steering Committee, Inc. awards 2017 Keeper of the Dream Award

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The 2017 Keeper of the Dream Award is a public recognition of individuals, organizations, or institutions for outstanding leadership and/or service to improve the quality of life for all citizens and work toward racial equality, human rights, peace and economic justice for all people.  The recipients were William Patterson and Triangle East Chapter of 100 Black Men of America, Inc. 

William Patterson, fondly known as the Mayor of Crest Street, has a long history in Durham as a champion for the underserved and underrepresented.  Most notable is his service to Durham during the deliberations over the route of Highway 147 would take in the area around Duke Hospital. Working across political lines, he was a key figure in leading discussions that allowed the State of North Carolina to reach an amenable agreement which preserved the integrity of the Crest Street neighborhood. 

Mr. Patterson is a leader in the work of the Crest Street nonprofit that provides much-needed subsidized housing for the elderly/disabled and Section 8 families in the neighborhood.  As a strong example of this man's dedication to nonviolence and cultivating understanding, he is leading an effort to create a neighborhood watch program with the Police Department.  Mr. Patterson has a wealth of experience, including his service to our country.  Mr. Patterson dedicated more than 20 years to the United States Air Force.
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The Triangle East Chapter of 100 Black Men of America, Inc. (100 BMTE) is a nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to improving the lives of youth and building a strong community.  The 100 BMTE works with individuals and organizations across North Carolina, primarily in Durham and Wake counties.  The 100 BMTE focuses on these key areas: mentoring and tutoring; health and wellness; education; leadership development in youth; and economic empowerment.  The 100 BMTE has provided mentoring to approximately 300 students in grades 6-12 over the past 19 years, averaging about 20 mentees (new and returning students) each year.  Over the years, the organization also has provided 68 students with scholarships for post-secondary education, including three graduating seniors in the 2016 academic year.  The 100 BMTE has 26 students enrolled in the mentoring program this academic year. 

In addition, 100 BMTE also made a commitment to provide hands-on mentoring and resources to Glenn Elementary School, working through Communities in Schools-Durham. The group participates in the Fathers Read initiative, sending over a dozen men each quarter to the school to spend time reading with, mentoring, and encouraging young students. The men act as role models, answering questions and providing insight to help students see a path to reaching their goals.
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King's Vision: Humanity Tied in a Single Garment of Destiny