WS Chronicle

By Tevin Stinson

The Chronicle

The Ministers’ Conference of Winston-Salem and Vicinity announced earlier this week that a few changes have been made to their annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day festivities.

While the conference will still hold a march and afternoon service to commemorate the life of Dr. King, the organization has decided to partner with The Chronicle to sponsor the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast held annually at the Benton Convention Center.

“We are proud to announce that we will be joining forces with The Chronicle to sponsor the 2016 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Breakfast Forum,” said MCWSV president Bishop Todd Fulton.

Fulton said the organization decided to join forces with The Chronicle because it would be more beneficial to the community and the scholarship program the conference provides for local high school students.

Last year the conference donated six $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors. Fulton mentioned this year he hopes to provide even more students with funds for college.

“We decided that if we take this route we would be able to give more scholarships to deserving students in the area,” said Fulton. “We are extremely excited to partner with The Chronicle as we keep the dream and vision of Dr. King alive.”

According to MCWSV third vice president Rev. Alvin E. Carlisle, the annual march and rally held to honor King will have a revamped route.

The memorial march is usually held at Mt. Zion Baptist Church located on File Street. This year the march will begin and end outside the convention center following the breakfast.

“After the breakfast we will gather in front of the convention center and proceed to march around the building located on West Fifth Street,” he continued. “Even if you are unable to attend the breakfast, we encourage all local community organizations to join us for the march.

Carlisle mentioned that although the march will be shorter than it has been in the past, the rally and march will send a powerful message.

“It won’t be a long march but it will be powerful,” said Carlisle. “The shorter route will be a better fit for those who have trouble walking as well, so we encourage the entire community to join us.”

The breakfast will begin at 8 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 18. The rally and march is expected to begin at 10:30 a.m. The evening program will be held at St. Paul United Methodist Church at 7 p.m. The keynote speaker will be Rev. Dr. Robert McGowens. McGowens is the pastor of Greater Galilee Baptist Church located in Charlotte.