Sarasota MLK Celebration Committee Announces Return of Celebratory Events that Commemorate the Life and Legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The Sarasota community can look forward to the return of the time-honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast and Community Awards, the historic unity walk and other festivities

By: Nicole Brown

After an extended hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sarasota MLK Celebration Committee is excited to announce the return of a weekend-long schedule of events and activities that commemorate the life and legacy of the beloved civil rights leader Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The celebration will commence with the grand opening of First Home Bank on Friday, January 14^th and conclude on Monday, January17th with the consistently sold-out Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast and Community Awards followed by the historic unity walk and community celebration, which will all be hosted in and around the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex.

The schedule of events is as follow:

• Fri., Jan. 14, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – The Grand Opening of First Home Bank in Newtown. Located at 1782 Dr. MLK Way in Sarasota, First Home Bank in Newtown will serve as a one-of-kind loan production office and financial resource center. The grand opening event will include a food truck, refreshments, the Bank’s mascot, cash prizes and musical entertainment. First Home Bank will also be open on Saturday, January 15^th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Sat., Jan. 15, 10 a.m. to 2p.m. – 2022 Sarasota Health Fair – place to be determined.  Hosted by the Gulf Coast Medical Society, Jetson Grimes and the Sarasota MLK Celebration Committee,the 2022 Sarasota Health Fair will feature 20 health-related resources such as flu shot administration, ambulance tours, prostate cancer screenings and cancer prevention services that will be provided by Shots in Arms Coalition, Center Place Health, the Florida Department of Health in Sarasota and the Multicultural Health Institute.

• Sun., Jan. 16, 2 p.m. – “Tribute to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” – Temple Emanu-EL (151 McIntosh Road, Sarasota). This is a free in-person and virtual event that will feature poetry readings, music performances by “The Soul Sensations” and renditions of Dr. King’s iconic speeches by Rev. Charles McKenzie. Advanced registration is encouraged and can be completed on Temple Emanu-EL’s website (www.sarasotatemple.org), where the event will also be shown virtually, no later than Jan. 14, 2022. For more information, contact Don Malawsky at 941-359-2890. A “Tribute to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” is co-sponsored by The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee.

• Mon., Jan. 17, 7:30 a.m. – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast and Community Awards – Robert L. Taylor Community Complex (1845 34th Street, Sarasota). The theme for the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast and Community Awards is “Love All, Accept All.” This year’s keynote speaker is Rabbi Michael Shefrin, Associate Rabbi, Temple Emanu-EL. Single tickets are $25, a table of 8 is $200 and a table of 10 is $250 and can be purchased online at 2022MLKBreakfast.Eventbrite.com. Tickets may also be purchased by contacting Mae Dixon at 941-266-3217 or Helen James at 941-228-8191. All tickets must be purchased in advance; no tickets will be sold at the door on the day of the event.

• Mon., Jan.17, 11 a.m. – Historic Unity Walk. The historic unity walk will immediately follow the Commemorative Breakfast and Community Awards. Participants will visit historic Newtown sites on the walk to Booker High School, then return to the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex to enjoy tributes, entertainment and food at the amphitheatre.  Transportation will be provided.

Contact Nicole Brown at 941-281-0520 or SRQMLKCelebrationPR@Gmail.com to schedule interviews or photographs with Jetson Grimes, president, Sarasota MLK Celebration Committee.

About the Sarasota MLK Celebration Committee

Founded in 1987, the Sarasota MLK Celebration Committee is dedicated to honoring the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin L. King Jr. Funds generated through its mission are allocated toward awarding scholarships to low-income minority students in pursuit of higher education. Currently, over 50 scholarships have been awarded.