President of the local NAACP, Clarissa Pace, and the executive committee announce plans for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration and Observance. The celebration will be held Monday, January 15, 2024, at 6 p.m. at the Revival Center Church of God in Christ, 311 S. Pine Street, Monticello, AR. The theme is “We are the Dream. The special guest speaker for the event is Retired Arkansas Judge, Wendell Griffen, of Little Rock.
Griffen retired from the Arkansas judiciary in December of 2022 after serving 12 years as judge of the Sixth Judicial Circuit of Arkansas, Fifth Division, and 13 years as a judge on the Arkansas Court of Appeals. During an illustrious 25-year judicial career, Griffen, who was an outspoken critic of the US War in Iraq, expressed his moral objections to the death penalty. He also advocated a new trial and the release of Black journalist and human rights activist Mumia Abu-Jamal.
Currently, Griffen is serving as pastor of New Millennium Church in Little Rock. Griffen is also the author of three internet blogs and the book, “The Fierce Urgency of Faith.”
According to Pace, she wants an MLK Movement instead of just one day of observation.
“My goal is to host events that will impact the entire community, as well as exemplify and emphasize the true meaning of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Movement. Therefore, we have added more events to the celebration,” Pace said.
A “Day of Service” will kick off the MLK Celebration on Saturday, January 6. Coordinators, the NAACP membership committee, Drew County Growth, and Drew County Sisters of Excellence have planned a neighborhood cleanup in Monticello and Wilmar from 10 a.m. to noon. During that time, community members are asked to join in the cleanup. Monticello residents can meet at 10 a.m. at Jordan Park and Wilmar residents can meet at 10 a.m. on Johnson Street in Wilmar. Volunteers are invited to lunch from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Monticello Branch Library. Anyone who wishes to be involved may contact Membership Chair, Lou Lambert at (870) 723-4590.
The Political Action Committee will host a workshop titled “Working for A Better Arkansas” on Saturday, January 13, from 10 a.m. until noon at the VFW Hut. Will Watson, strategic director for ArkDems will be the presenter. Participants will learn general election schedules, types of voting, voter resources, how to mobilize voter campaigns, and more. This is a non-partisan event, and all residents are invited to attend, especially those who are interested in becoming political candidates.
Finally, a “Lunch and Learn” will be held Monday, January 15, from noon until 3 p.m. at the Monticello Branch Library. In this Homebuyers and Credit Restoration workshop, participants will learn about the home buying process, which will include topics like qualification criteria, credit restoration, financing options, and the closing process. The guest presenter will be Monticello native, Marshelvia Collins, CEO/Owner of Mayven Realty Group and Purpose Lane.
“We are excited about this new direction we have initiated in order to provide a more impactful observance and celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” Pace stated.
MLK T-shirts may be purchased online and worn at any event by going to dcnaacp6042.org/t-shirts. For any other details, call President Pace at (870) 723-9820 or email: naacp6042@gmail.com.
