________________________________ From: Communications Sent: Monday, December 13, 2010 2:31 PM Subject: A Kick-off Celebration for 25 Years of Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Missouri News Harris-Stowe State University For Immediate Release Contact: Nisa Schmitz (314) 340-5754 SchmitzN@hssu.edu<mailto:SchmitzN@hssu.edu> A Kick-off Celebration for 25 Years of Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Missouri St. Louis, MO (December 13, 2010) - The 2011 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. State Celebration Commission Kick-off Program for Missouri will be legendary as the State Celebration Commission celebrates its 25th anniversary! Appropriately themed "Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. State Celebration Commission of Missouri under the Leadership of Dr. Henry Givens, Jr., Chairman," the program will recognize the legacy and commitment of the commissioners, who will be honored at the program. The highlight of the evening will be keynote speaker Judge Greg Mathis. Judge Mathis is nationally recognized as an advocate for justice, for his award-winning television court show Judge Mathis and for his weekly newspaper column. Judge Mathis will be honored with the Chairman's Award at the kick-off program. Dr. Henry Givens, Jr., chairman of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. State Celebration Commission and president of Harris-Stowe State University, will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement award. Dr. Givens has chaired the state celebration commission since its inception and with the assistance of the commissioners, turned Missouri's Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. state celebration into the second largest celebration in the nation. Other awardees include Keith Antone Willis, Sr., publisher of Who's Who in Black St. Louis, who will receive the Distinguished Entrepreneur Award; Dr. Dennis Golden, president of Fontbonne University, who will receive the Distinguished Education/Community Service Award; and Attorney Jerry Hunter, a charter member of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. State Celebration Commission, who will receive the Distinguished Pioneer Award. Entertainment will consist of The Jazz Edge; Jermaine Smith, international opera tenor; the nationally recognized Harris-Stowe State University Concert Chorale; and New Sunny Mount Missionary Baptist Chancel Choir. The event will be emceed by Rene Knott, sports director at KSDK-TV Channel 5, and Beverly Brennan, Director of Speech and Theater at Harris-Stowe State University. A number of prominent politicians and local dignitaries have been invited to the program, including Governor Jay Nixon, Mayor Francis G. Slay, County Executive Charlie Dooley, Senator Robin Wright-Jones, State Representative Tishaura Jones, U.S. Congressman William "Lacy" Clay, Jr. and License Collector Mike McMillan. The program will take place on Saturday, January 8, 2011, at 6:30 p.m., in the Main Auditorium of Harris-Stowe's Dr. Henry Givens, Jr. Administration Building. The event is free and open to the public. A commemorative 25th anniversary program and fan set will be available for a $5 donation. Immediately following the program, there will be a reception, featuring Steve Schankman and the Fabulous Motown Revue, on the ground floor of the Dr. Henry Givens Jr. Administration Building. The MLK Kick-off Program is hosted by the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. State Celebration Commission, Dr. Henry Givens, Jr., chairman. The commission, which was established in 1985, consists of governor-appointed members throughout the state of Missouri, who come together to host events that preserve Dr. King's legacy. Since its inception, all State Kick-off Programs have been held at Harris-Stowe State University. ### **********************Harris-Stowe State University********************** This e-mail is confidential and sent only to specified recipient(s). However, all e-mail is subject to possible interception by third parties. *************Contact postmaster@hssu.edu to report problems**************