Garner MLK Celebration

The Garner MLK Annual Celebration Committee presents its 14th annual celebration of the life and legacy the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Sunday, Jan. 19, at Garner Performing Arts Center (742 W. Garner Road). A unity walk will start at 3 p.m. with participants gathering in the GPAC parking lot. There also will be an artists reception in the GPAC lobby prior to the start of the program.

The formal program in the GPAC auditorium will begin at 4 p.m. The theme of this year's event is Hope in the Midst of Hopelessness.

• Mayor Buddy Gupton will serve as master of ceremonies.
• The Rev. Vanessa Hawkins, interim pastor of Davie Street Presbyterian Church, will be keynote speaker.
• U.S. Rep. Deborah Ross will make remarks.
• The Maple Temple United Church of Christ Male Chorus and The Gifted Arts will perform musical selections.
• Benjamin Stewart will offer a historical overview of the Rosenwald Schools.
• Morgan Davis will read a selection.
• Dwight Rodgers will recite a selection from MLK's "I Have a Dream" speech.
• The Garner MLK Annual Celebration Committee will present its annual Dream-in-Action Award.

The event is free; everyone is welcome.