Jonesboro, AR – (Contributed) – Celebrations to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will be held at Arkansas State University and throughout the Jonesboro community in the days surrounding the holiday.
The events are hosted by the NEA Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade Committee in conjunction with A-State. The theme for this year’s 24th annual program is “Where Do We Go From Here?”
The Youth Day program begins at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18, at the Jonesboro High School Performing Arts Center, 392 Hurricane Drive.
De’Angelis Bullard, who has been involved with the community events since 2018, serves as director of the Youth Day program. Jonesboro High School sophomore Caleb Washington will be the program speaker, sharing a message of hope, leadership and service that reflects the legacy of Dr. King.
At 10:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 19, a community-wide parade will begin at the Lt. Col. Frederick C. Turner Jr. Military Science Building, 1921 Aggie Road. Shamal Carter will serve as the grand marshal. Lineup and preparations will begin at 10 a.m.
Following the parade, a program will take place at noon at Fowler Center on campus, 201 Olympic Drive. Attendees can expect performances by bands, dance groups from across the region, as well as the MLK Choir and a featured speaker. Adrian C. Rogers will take on the role of music director for the program as a volunteer. He will be working under the guidance of co-chairman and music director, Pastor Patrick Bean.
Dr. Carlitta Moore, vice chancellor for access and institutional engagement at A-State, said it is vital to share Dr. King’s message, as it remains relevant today.
“For younger generations in particular, Dr. King’s message provides both historical grounding and a moral framework for understanding their role in creating togetherness, compassion and accountability within their communities,” Moore said.
Moore said the festivities continue to grow each year, drawing families, young people and community partners, while emphasizing that the message continues to resonate.
“Through these events and collective efforts, our community continues to come together across generations to uphold the shared values of unity, service and hope,” she said. ” These moments reaffirm our commitment to building a future rooted in respect, opportunity and meaningful engagement, ensuring Dr. King’s message not only lives on, but continues to inspire and ignite the courage and compassion needed to create transformative change for generations to come.”
All celebrations are free and open to the public to attend. For those who cannot attend in person, events will be live streamed on the NEA MLK Jr. Day Parade Committee Facebook page.