Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Jan. 13, 2025 – The Northeast Arkansas MLK Jr. Day Parade committee has numerous events scheduled to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. next week, including its 23rd annual parade and keynote speaker program, and more.

The theme of this year’s celebration is “Mission Impossible: Protecting Freedom, Justice and Democracy in the Spirit of Nonviolence.”

Martin Luther King Jr. Day, also known as MLK Day, is celebrated annually on the third Monday of January in the United States in honor of Dr. King, a Baptist minister who advocated the use of nonviolent means to end racial segregation.

The NEA MLK Jr. Day Parade Committee will kick off the NEA Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration events with the annual Youth Day Celebration on Jan. 19, at 4 p.m. at the JHS Performing Arts Center on the Jonesboro High School campus.

Then on Monday, Jan. 20, the NEA MLK Jr. Day Parade will be at 10 a.m. in front of the A-State Military Science Building, 921 Aggie Road the Arkansas State University campus.

After leaving the Military Science building, the parade will travel up Marion Berry Parkway to Johnson Avenue, go down University Loop and conclude at the Fowler Center.

The parade will feature performances from the Forrest City High School Band, Osceola High School Band, Jonesboro High School Steppers and Drumline.

After the parade, the NEA MLK Jr. Day Program will begin at noon in the Fowler Center, 201 Olympic Drive, which will feature keynote speaker, Elder Jervonne Newsome, a native of Jonesboro who has dedicated her career to justice, equity, and making a difference in her community.

Newsome has served as a servant-leader in the faith community for more than 30 years. She is a licensed and ordained minister and has been preaching for over 20 years.

Newsome is also a licensed attorney living in Dallas, TX where she is a partner and trial attorney for Winston and Strawn LLP, an international litigation firm. She was recently recognized as one of the Top 50 Women in Law in Dallas, Texas, Super Lawer, Best Lawyer in America, and Lawdragon 500 X- Next Generation Lawyer.

She also founded Revolution Worship Ministries (RWM), a ministry in Dallas committed to developing the “whole man” and assisting people in embracing their God-given purpose. Through RWM, she also launched the WE LEAP Women’s Encounter Ministry.

Mayor Harold Copenhaver and A-State leadership will also speak at the event.

Donations to the NEA MLK Jr. Day Parade Committee can be made via Cash App at $NEAMLK1 or for other donation options, contact their finance committee at mlkjrday_fin2024@yahoo.com. For more information and updates on the events visit the NEA MLK Jr. Day Parade Committee Facebook or call 501-500-3991.

Other MLK Events:

Jonesboro’s Best After School and Summer Camp will be hosting the MLK Day Camp on Jan. 20, from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 2801 S. Caraway Road. The camp is $40 the entire day, $20 for After School Members, or bring a qualifying friend and come for free. To save your spot or for more information, call 870-761-0861.

The Jonesboro Parks and Recreation Department will be hosting a Community Discussion on the Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Trail project on Jan. 21, at 6 p.m. at the New St. John Missionary Baptist Church, 308 N. Main St. This trail will be a pathway with green spaces and monuments, which are intended to bring the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s words to life.

The plan includes three sculptures that will feature his quotes alongside artistic expressions of their meaning. With the community’s help, the Parks and Recreation Department has already selected the quotes through a survey. Now, they would like community input again as they discuss the design of these monuments and how they can honor Jonesboro’s contributions to the civil rights movement.

UPDATE: (January 20,2025)

According to a press release from Arkansas State University on Monday morning there will be no marchers as the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. parade and march will go on today as a motorcade due to the extreme weather.

All participants will remain in their vehicles. The motorcade will start at the Lt. Col. Frederick Turner Jr. Military Science Building on the Arkansas State University campus. It will depart the military science building, travel up Marion Berry Parkway to Johnson Avenue, proceed down University Loop, and conclude at the Fowler Center, 201 Olympic Drive, for the 23rd annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration.

The marching bands will perform outside the Fowler Center on campus at 11 a.m., at the end of the motorcade.

The free program will begin at noon. The theme for the program this year is “Mission Possible: Protecting Freedom, Justice & Democracy in the Spirit of Nonviolence.” Jonesboro native Jervonne Newsome will serve as the keynote speaker for the event. Jonesboro Mayor Harold Copenhaver and A-State leadership will also speak during the program.