Service, Unity to be Celebrated and Recognized During Annual Community Event

AIKEN, SC (01/10/2019) Aiken Technical College and the University of South Carolina Aiken will present the 2019 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Community Celebration on Sunday, Jan. 27, at the USC Aiken Convocation Center, 2049 Champion Way, Graniteville.

Doors will open at 2:30 p.m., followed by the program at 3 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

"Now, more than ever, we have a responsibility to continue Dr. King's approach of working together through challenges facing us," said Dr. Sandra Jordan, USC Aiken chancellor.

"The annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Celebration embodies that spirit of collaboration as USC Aiken, Aiken Tech and a team of dedicated community leaders and engaged citizens plan this community-wide event. This model of unity in Aiken, South Carolina, is one other cities - perhaps even our nation - could emulate."

From 2:30 to 3 p.m., there will be a service fair highlighting area organizations and opportunities for attendees to volunteer or get involved in community.

Service fair participants include:

Aiken Center for Alcohol and Drug Services

Aiken County Branch of the NAACP

Aiken County Help Line 2-1-1

Aiken SC Works Center

Aiken-Barnwell Mental Health Center

American Association of University Women, Aiken Branch

Brothers and Sisters

Center for African American History, Art and Culture

Child Advocacy Center

Concerned Ministers Fellowship

Cumbee Center to Assist Abused Persons

Eden's Ministry

Georgia-Carolina Council, Boy Scouts of America

Project VISION

Public Education Partners

SC Vocational Rehabilitation Department

The RECing Crew

Tri-Development Center

United Way of Aiken County

The keynote speaker for the event will be Patricia Russell-McCloud, Esq., an acclaimed author and speaker. She will speak on the event's theme, a quote by Dr. King: "The time is always right to do what is right."

Annually, she speaks to more than 100,000 people in the United States and internationally and encourages listeners to overcome every obstacle that stands between them and the possible.

Books she has written include My Journal: Myself, Inside Out and A is for Attitude. Russell-McCloud will also host a book signing event in the lobby of the USC Aiken Convocation Center immediately following program.

During the event, recipients of the 2019 Human & Civil Rights Awards will be announced and recognized. The awards recognizes one community member and a student from each ATC and USC Aiken who have demonstrated leadership in advocating for others and making a difference in the community.

"This event provides an opportunity for us to reflect on Dr. King's life and impact and be reminded of how important it is to continue the efforts he began so many years ago," said Dr. Forest Mahan, president of Aiken Technical College.

"There are many in our communities who continue his legacy of service and advocating for others. During this event, we recognize and honor those champions while encouraging others to also make a difference."

Sponsors of this event are:

Gold Sponsor

Chandler Law Firm

Silver Sponsors

Atlantic Broadband

Savannah River Remediation

SRP Federal Credit Union

Bronze Sponsors

AECOM

Aiken County Government

Aiken Electric Co-Op, Inc.

AT&T

Bridgestone

City of Aiken

Mead Hall Episcopal School

Security Federal Bank

Savannah River Nuclear Solutions

USC Aiken Inclusion Advisory Council

Community Supporters

Aiken Chapter of Links, Inc.

Aiken County Branch of the NAACP

Citizen's Park Office and Conference Center

Concerned Ministers Fellowship

Rural Health Services

Louisiana Wright Sanders

Posted Thursday January 10, 2019 at 11:12 am by USC Aiken
Last Updated Thursday January 10, 2019 at 11:12 am