The Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission has announced that it will host a book signing event featuring Dr. Bernice A. King, the daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as well as Coretta Scott King. The book signing will take place on Oct. 28 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Blytheville High School arena.
King will be present with her co-author Dr. Kimberly Johnson at the book signing event, which promotes literacy and the children’s book “It Starts With Me!” Free and open to the public, this event will allow hundreds of children the opportunity to meet and interact with King, receive a personal, signed book and get insight into how her book promotes building community and how each individual can play a part in creating a better world.
“I am looking forward to, once again, partnering with Dr. Bernice A. King to host programming in the Delta, which is a very underserved area of the state,” DuShun Scarbrough, executive director of the commission, said. “The city of Blytheville has been negatively impacted by population flights, crime and poverty, so this event is desperately needed.”
The MLK, Jr. Commission, which is a division of the Arkansas Department of Education, has a mission to promote and preserve the life and legacy of Dr. King in Arkansas, while promoting principles of nonviolence and equality for all citizens. Community outreach projects have been designed in order to promote education, an appreciation of history and encourage youth to engage in positive leadership development and roles within their communities.
“She is my mentor, Dr. King has taught me so much over the years and really has been the big sister to me that I never had. She has taught me so much about her father’s legacy and I’ve been blessed to be able to convey the same message throughout the state of Arkansas. I have worked with her Nonviolence 365 training in order to train youth, throughout the world, in the principles and teachings of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” Scarbrough said. “This is a historic event, as it is the first time that the state has hosted Dr. Bernice A King in Blytheville. King is an heir of the most iconic figure of the civil rights movement. For many, this is a once-in-a-lifetime event to see Dr. King, who is one generation from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.”
For more information about this event, email Scarbrough at dushun.scarbrough@ade.arkansas.gov.
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