Local Contact:
Bruce Lightner
834-6264  (Office)
630-3439  (Cell)
brucelig@king-raleigh.org
          


                          KING  HOLIDAY  TO  FOCUS  ON  FUTURE           


Raleigh, NC -- There will be numerous Martin Luther King events throughout the Triangle and all are appropriate in acknowledging the great service and sacrifice by a modern day disciple to humanity.  The longest running and most consistently executed King Holiday Observances in the Triangle have been sponsored by the Raleigh Martin Luther King Celebration Committee.  This January marks the 32nd consecutive year of the Raleigh MLK Committee's efforts in North Carolina's Capitol City.  The Raleigh MLK Committee's 2012 holiday events are described below.

Fittingly, the first event is designed to recognize and reinforce the impact Dr. King had on society.  In doing so, community citizens will gather and school age children will place a wreath beside the statue of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  The 2012 MLK Wreath Laying Ceremony will be held on Friday, January 13, 6:00 PM at the Martin Luther King Memorial Gardens in Southeast Raleigh.

On Monday, January 16th, 7:00 AM the 32nd Annual Martin Luther King Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast will be held at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel, Research Triangle Park.  This year's keynote speaker will be the dynamic motivator and the area's top female corporate executive, Mrs. Cynthia Marshall, President, AT&T of North Carolina.  There will be a few "surprises" during this early morning program.

On Monday, January 16th, 9:00 AM in cooperation with the Triangle United Way will be the Annual Martin Luther King Day Of Community Service were hundreds of citizens will do volunteer work on various projects throughout the Triangle area.

On Monday, January 16th, the 32nd Annual Martin Luther King Memorial March will assemble at 10:00 AM on the grounds of the North Carolina State Capitol and depart at 11:00 AM through downtown Raleigh.  The theme for this year's celebration is "From The Dream to Reality .... Economic & Social Equality ... More Work To Be Done" All citizens interested in marching will be welcomed.  No registration required.

Following the March will be the 32nd Annual Martin Luther King Noon Ecumenical Observance held at the Progress Energy Center For The Performing Arts in downtown Raleigh.  An energetic preacher, The Reverend Nelson Johnson, Executive Director of The Beloved Community Development Center in Greensboro will keynote.

The day concludes with the 32nd Annual Martin Luther King Evening Musical Celebration, 5:30 PM at the Progress Energy Center For The Performing Arts. Headlining this observance will be the blockbuster national recording artist Ernest Pugh from Fort Washington, Maryland.

All events are free and open to the public.  To obtain the full listing of who will speak at each observance please click the blue line under each event title.

                 


          The 2012 Dr. Martin Luther King Holiday
                       Raleigh, North Carolina                              
                                   
FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012
6:00 PM  The 2012 Martin Luther King Wreath Laying Ceremony
                Martin Luther King Memorial Gardens
                http://www.king-raleigh.org/events/agenda.cfm?program_id=1&event_id=3555



MONDAY,  JANUARY 16, 2012
8:00 AM   The 32nd Annual Martin Luther King Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast
                 Sheraton Imperial Hotel, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
                  http://www.king-raleigh.org/events/agenda.cfm?program_id=1&event_id=5115

8:30 AM   7th Annual Martin Luther King Community Day Of Service
                 Various Projects Located Throughout Triangle Area
                  http://www.unitedwaytriangle.org/mlk/

11:00 AM  32nd Annual Martin Luther King Holiday Memorial March
                 Departs from State Capitol Building, Edenton Street Side
                 http://www.king-raleigh.org/history/march.htm

12:00 PM  32nd Annual Martin Luther King Noon Ecumenical Observance
                 Meymandi Hall, Progress Energy Center For The Performing Arts
                  http://www.king-raleigh.org/events/agenda.cfm?program_id=1&event_id=2053

 5:30 PM  32nd Annual Martin Luther King Evening Musical Celebration
                 Meymandi Hall, Progress Energy Center For The Performing Arts
                 http://www.king-raleigh.org/events/agenda.cfm?program_id=1&event_id=2055

All programs  are free and open to the public in cooperation from area businesses, corporations, churches and civic organizations