MLK Planning Committee sets worship service and workshop

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Planning Committee of Mahoning County will commemorate the life and work of the civil-rights activist with a community worship service at 3:30 p.m. Sunday at Third Baptist Church, 1177 Park Hill Drive, and community workshop from 8:30 a.m. to noon next Monday at First Presbyterian Church, 201 Wick Ave.

The theme for both is “The Legacy of U.S. Civil Rights Laws: Remembering What is Civil and Doing What is Right.” The events are free.

The ecumenical service will feature a presentation by Pastor Christopher McKee Jr. of Tabernacle Baptist Church. He is the founding executive director of the first local Children’s Defense Fund Summer Freedom School, a summer reading program, and a member of the board of Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative.

A musical segment will be presented by a combined youth choir of area churches. Teen representatives of the Jewish, Muslim and Christian faiths will offer readings from sacred writings.

The workshop will include community activists who will address King’s challenge to address institutionalized racism. Walter Madison, a local criminal defense lawyer, will give the keynote presentation.

A panel discussion will follow and include Roy Austin, criminal-justice reform advocate; Rebecca Banks, education advocate; and Councilman Julius Oliver, D-1st.

After the discussion, those attending the workshop will participate in roundtable discussions on initiatives for community collaboration and coordination on issues outlined by the panelists.

Jaladah Aslam, president, Youngstown Warren Black Caucus; the Rev. Kenneth Simon, pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church, Youngstown; and Penny Wells, director of Mahoning Valley Sojourn to the Past, are co-conveners of the MLK planning committee. For information on activities, call 330-746-3250, ext. 183.