Martin Luther King Jr. Day service postponed because of winter storm

Because of the winter storm moving into the region late Jan. 14, bringing with it 4-6 inches of snow or more according to a warning from the National Weather Service, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Tribute Service that had been scheduled for noon Jan. 15 at Overcoming Believers Church has been postponed.

An alternate date and time will be announced later, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Commission announced on its Facebook page.

Earlier: Knoxville plans programs, concerts for 2024 to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The annual lineup of events dedicated to honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Knoxville for 2024 centers on the theme of "Keeping the Legacy Alive with Faith, Love and Action." For more than 40 years, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Commission has been honoring the late civil rights legend.

Ranked among the largest and most extended celebrations nationwide, the MLK Commission's program includes nine significant events across the city. These celebrations encompass various facets, including the arts, education, forums, an oratorical contest, tributes and prayer services. The festivities now extend into June as part of the tradition, with a Juneteenth celebration parade.

One of the featured events for the 2024 celebration will include a keynote address by nationally renowned journalist, author and commentator Roland Martin during the commission's annual MLK Awards Luncheon.

Martin is the host and managing editor of "Roland Martin Unfiltered," a groundbreaking daily online show. The program is the first of its kind, delivering news and analysis on politics, entertainment, sports and culture with a distinctly African American perspective. With four NAACP Image Awards to his name and four books, Martin also is the former executive editor of the Chicago Defender, the nation's most historic Black newspaper, according to his website.

This year the Bijou Theatre, along with the Beck Cultural Exchange Center and the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra will offer a free MLK Celebration Concert on Jan. 14, honoring the lives of six female musicians from the Civil Rights Movement: Marian Anderson, Josephine Baker, Mahalia Jackson, Odetta Holmes, Coretta Scott King and Nina Simone. The event will showcase poet Rhea Carmon, along with vocalists Evelyn Jack, Kelle Jolly and Teyah Young. Speakers will be Knox County Commissioner Dr. Dasha Lundy and Phyllis Y. Nichols, retired CEO of the Knoxville Area Urban League.

"(KSO Music Director Aram) Demirjian will lead the KSO in a celebratory program featuring music closely associated with Anderson, Baker, Jackson, Holmes, King and Simone interspersed with readings about the legendary icons by Lundy and Nichols. Musical selections include works by Simone, Florence Price, Valerie Coleman and more," a news release stated.

2024 MLK Award Recipients

Individuals being honored at the 2024 awards luncheon are community members recognized for their outstanding service in Knoxville and dedication to embodying the principles reflective of King's life. The recipients of the 2024 awards are:

• Tennessee State Rep. Gloria Johnson, Advocacy Award

• Yvonnca Landes and The Landes Team, Business Award

• Dr. Stan Bowie, Education Award

• Matthew Best, Chair's Award

• Christoper Battle, Battlefield Farm, Community Service Award

• Clarice Phelps, Distinguished Service

• Evelyn Jack, Arts Award

• Leonard Adams, Grand Marshall

• Delaney Jackson, Youth Award

• Thomas "Tank" Strickland, Legacy Award

• Dr. Mae Killebrew-Mosley, Diversity Champion Award

Knoxville MLK 2024 event schedule

Jan. 10

Noon: Interfaith Prayer Service at Lennon Seney United Methodist Church, 2084 Dandridge Ave.

Jan. 11

8:30-11:30 a.m.: Leadership Educational Symposium at the University of Tennessee Student Union, 1502 Cumberland Ave.

Noon-2 p.m.: Leadership Awards Luncheon at the University of Tennessee Student Union, 1502 Cumberland Ave., with keynote speaker Roland Martin. (sold out)

Jan. 12

6:30-8:30 p.m.: Community Forum at Beck Cultural Exchange Center, 1927 Dandridge Ave.

Jan. 13

8:30 a.m.: Youth Symposium and Jack and Jill Oratorical ContestatAustin-East Magnet High School, 2800 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Jan. 14

3 p.m. She Sings of Freedom MLK Celebration Concert, Knoxville Symphony Orchestra at Bijou Theatre, 803 S. Gay St.

6 p.m.: Night with the Arts Tribute and MLK Celebration Choir at Cox Auditorium, University of Tennessee, 1408 Middle Drive.

Jan. 15, Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Noon-2 p.m.: Memorial Tribute Service at Overcoming Believers Church, 211 Harriet Tubman St.

March 23

8:30 a.m.-2 p.m.: Teacher In-Service Training at Simpson Professional Training Center, 801 Tipton Ave.

Admission is free for all events other than the awards luncheon.

Angela Dennis is the Knox News race, justice and equity reporter. Email angela.dennis@knoxnews.com. X formerly called Twitter @AngeladWrites. Instagram @angeladenniswrites. Facebook at Angela Dennis Journalist.

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knoxville plans Martin Luther King Jr. Day events for 2024 celebration