Hendersonville, N.C., January 2, 2020 – The Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Breakfast Committee is pleased to announce the 2020 celebration to be held on Monday, January 20, 2020 at Blue Ridge Community College’s Technology Education & Development Center in the Blue Ridge Conference Hall. Doors to the ticketed event open at 8:00 a.m. with breakfast provided by Bojangles’ Famous Chicken ‘n Biscuits beginning at 8:30 a.m. with the program to follow.
2020 marks the 20th year of having the MLK, Jr. Unity Breakfast and program in Henderson County and the celebration’s theme is education. The theme was influenced from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s 1947 article, “Intelligence plus Character: The Goal of True Education” from Morehouse College’s student paper The Maroon Tiger.
This year’s program will highlight and honor alumni and faculty of Hendersonville’s Ninth Avenue and Sixth Avenue Schools. These schools served as a beacon for the education of Black Americans and as regional community centers from 1916 to 1965. Ronnie Pepper will serve as Master of Ceremonies and is completing his second year as Chair of the MLK, Jr. Unity Breakfast Committee. As in year’s past, the 2020 celebration will also feature inspirational music and dance performances.
Keynote speaker Dr. Vergel L. Lattimore III is President and Professor of Pastoral Psychology and Counseling at Hood Theological Seminary in Salisbury, NC. Dr. Lattimore is
a former Director of the Master of Arts in Counseling Ministries at Methodist Theological School in Ohio (1990–2012), an ordained Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, and is a published author. While in the Air National Guard (ANG) he served as Assistant to the Chief of Chaplains, U.S. Air Force, Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C. (2003–2005). He was the first African American Chaplain to attain the rank of Brigadier General in the U.S. Air Force and the Air National Guard. A few of Dr. Lattimore’s honors include being a recipient of the Air Force Legion of Merit Medal (2005) and a recipient of the State of Ohio National Guard – Distinguished Service Medal (2005).
The January 20th event is open to the public, but tickets are required. Prices are $15 for adults and $5 for children ages 5-12. Tickets are on sale now at Community Foundation of Henderson County’s office (located at 401 N. Main Street, Suite 300). They will also be available at the door the day of the event. Attendees may call (828) 697-6224 for more information. Community Foundation of Henderson County is Fiscal Sponsor for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Breakfast Committee.