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For Immediate Release
Historical Accomplishments of the Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission 2015 to 2016
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Mega Kingfest 2016 brought together state and city leaders
and a variety of races and faiths to celebrate Dr. King's life
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Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Commission Hosts Largest 'Day of Service' Event
By Marielle Mohs, KTHV
1:21 p.m. CST January 20, 2015
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -
Arkansas has a statistic to be proud of. Monday's "Day of Service" event (January 2015) was the largest of its kind in the country.
Harrison high school students Skyler Caldwell and Christian Gillies attended the event. They hope to find ways to keep Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy alive in the future.
"It is great to look back on history and what he's done, but to really look forward and try to make our society a better place," said Gillies.
"Continuing on that dream that he had and capitalizing on what he did and better our own future as a society," said Caldwell.
The event brought together state and city leaders and a variety of races and faiths to celebrate Dr. King's life.
"It's just an opportunity for people of all different background and beliefs to come together, and talk about what we have in common," said Lieutenant Gov. Tim Griffin.
The Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Commission (AMLKC) made the event focus around volunteering, encouraging people to engage in their communities, not just today, but for the entire year.
"It's a day on, not a day off," said AMLKC executive director DuShun Scarbrough. "Yes, it's a federal holiday and folks get the day off from work, but we want folks to get out and do something for their communities."
The commission chose Eric Braeden, an actor on the CBS soap opera "The Young and the Restless," to be the keynote speaker.
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Eric Braedon, who portrays the character Victor Newman on CBS's "The Young and the Restless," made a return visit to Little Rock in January to participate in Mega Kingfest. He served as the keynote speaker in January 2015 and emcee in January 2016.
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"You know how do you get folks to feel inclusive? You bring someone that has a civil rights tie you wouldn't have thought of, and use it as a platform to bring everyone out," said Scarbrough.
Braeden's speech focused around his experiences assimilating as an immigrant during the time of Dr. King.
"I see this from the perspective of someone who came from another country. Age of 18, as an immigrant with nothing in my pocket. But that experience is nothing compared to that of an African American," said Braeden.
Braeden said he's hopeful for the future, with the momentum of positive work from events like this each year.
Gillies said it is important that young people learn to make positive contributions to their community. He suggested volunteering as a good starting point.
"Volunteering at a young age is great," said Gillies. "And that's what I'd like to bring back to our community. If we can keep that moving on."
You can volunteer for the Arkansas MLK Commission year-round by clicking here.
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MLK Jr. Commission Hosts Largest 'Day of Service' Event
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We have something new to be proud of this year.
We were selected as #4 of the Top 5 on the
"Best Cities for Volunteering This MLK Day" list!
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Many a traveler have dreamt of taking a life-altering service trip where you get to help and learn from others whose world is entirely different from our own. One that changes your entire perception on life, fills you with gratitude and embraces you with meaning. In fact, 60% of Americans would consider taking a service trip, but time and money are the two biggest obstacles in their way. We think we can help out with the latter.
Here are three things to keep in mind when planning a service trip:
Think domestic:
A service trip does not have to involve a transcontinental voyage. Cut travel costs and trip length by seeking opportunities in cities that are accessible via a short plane ride or are within driving distance.
Add service to an existing trip:
Make any trip a service trip by carving out a little time to do some good wherever you are. Identify local organizations and projects that could use some help for a day (or even a few hours) during an already planned vacation.
Serve with friends:
Reduce accommodation costs by rallying a group to travel with and share a room. A difference and memories can be made by providing several pairs of helping hands.
Next, you need to decide where to go. We've put together this list of cities and volunteer programs that are ripe for a memorable service trip:
1.
Memphis: National Civil Rights Museum/Clean Memphis and Leadership Memphis' MLK Day of Service
Site: Built around the former Lorraine Motel where Dr. King was assassinated in 1968, the National Civil Rights Museum underwent a massive renovation and reopened in 2014. Featuring interactive exhibits, self-guided tours and several films, this educational and historic site is not to be missed.
Service: Clean Memphis and Leadership Memphis partner for this MLK Day of Service to host volunteers for beautification projects in communities across the city.
2.
Boston: Radcliffe College Yard & Schlesinger Library/Boston Cares' MLK Day of Service
Site: Founded as the "Harvard Annex" in 1879 and historically serving as the "Harvard for women," Radcliffe College officially merged with Harvard in 1999. Now, Radcliffe College Yard is a part of the Harvard campus and is home to the Schlesinger Library, which houses some of the most extensive resources for research as well as exhibits on the history of women in America.
Service: Over 500 volunteers are expected at Boston Cares' "reading success"-themed event where they will create literacy games, reading journals, bookshelves and more to promote learning and literacy among the city's youth.
3.
Washington, D.C.: MLK Memorial & National Mall/MLK Day of Service with City Year Washington, D.C.
Site: Erected in 2011, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial stands 30 feet tall and features quotes from many of Dr. King's sermons and speeches. The memorial is located just southwest of the National Mall, where during the March on Washington, Dr. King delivered his renowned "I Have a Dream" speech in 1963.
Service: Join other volunteers across the D.C. area at local schools as City Year Washington D.C. organizes projects like school beautification, mural painting and workshops for youth.
Site: Visit the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site Visitor Center, adjacent to the high school, to learn more about one of the most prominent national examples of the implementation of anti-segregation laws. Service: Volunteer at one of the largest celebrations of Dr. King's life as The Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission hosts 2016 MEGA KINGFEST which will feature celebrity speakers, a non-violence youth summit and service projects like feeding the at-risk.
5.
San Francisco:
GLBT History Museum/Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy MLK Day of Service
Site: Situated in San Francisco's historic Castro District, the GLBT History Museum is the first full-scale, stand-alone museum of its kind in the United States and exhibits showcase the trials, tribulations and victories of the GLBT community.
Service: The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy will host volunteers for clean up, habitat restoration, landscaping and more at sites around San Francisco including the sprawling Presidio grounds and picturesque Crissy Field, just steps from the Golden Gate Bridge.
What to win a free service trip? Nominate a volunteer you know and tell us why they deserve a service trip. If you're entry wins, we'll give you both a free trip.
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Also, we are 1 in 5 states in the Nation to have a
License Plate commemorating Dr. King
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The state of Arkansas has found a new way to honor the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
In observance of Black History Month, the Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission (AMLKC) proudly announces Arkansas' first commemorative license plate dedicated to the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The commemorative license plate will be available at local revenue offices throughout the state of Arkansas.
"I am pleased to announce that Arkansas is one of five states in the nation that now offers a license plate commemorating the legacy of Dr. King, says DuShun Scarbrough, executive director of the AMLKC. "We did the footwork and gathered interest and support from motorists across the state and now 'the dream' is a reality for Arkansans who want to show their support of Dr. King by way of owning a license plate."
"The introduction of the King Commemorative license plate shows the depth of support that Arkansans have for Dr. King's vision of equality, nonviolence and acceptance. Dr. King's vision was universal and we want to make sure that all Arkansans have an opportunity to own and share the legacy of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. year round," Scarbrough said.
Read More: Martin Luther King Jr. License Plate Available in Arkansas
THV11 Staff, news source
6:10 p.m. CST January 13, 2015
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) - A new way to commemorate Martin Luther King's legacy is now available in our state.
For the first time, the state of Arkansas is offering an MLK license plate.
The money will benefit Arkansas MLK commission scholarships.
To get your own, click here.
Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Commission Announces Arkansas'
First Commemorative MLK License Plate
Posted:
February 14, 2015 - 3:52pm
Special to the Log Cabin
Arkansas to Become One of Five States to Carry Plate
In observance of Black History Month, The Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission (AMLKC) proudly announces Arkansas' first commemorative license plate dedicated to the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The commemorative license plate will be available at local revenue offices throughout the state of Arkansas.
"I am pleased to announce that Arkansas is one of five states in the nation that now offers a license plate commemorating the legacy of Dr. King, says DuShun Scarbrough, executive director of the AMLKC. "We did the footwork and gathered interest and support from motorists across the state and now 'the dream' is a reality for Arkansans who want to show their support of Dr. King by way of owning a license plate."
"The introduction of the King Commemorative license plate shows the depth of support that Arkansans have for Dr. King's vision of equality, nonviolence and acceptance. Dr. King's vision was universal and we want to make sure that all Arkansans have an opportunity to own and share the legacy of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. year round," Scarbrough said.
Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission Unveils Commemorative License Plate
Published 03/17 2015 04:57PM
Updated 03/17 2015 06:13PM
El Dorado, Ark. --
One Arkansas organization is pushing a special license plate to honor a civil rights leader. The Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission has unveiled the state's first commemorative license plate honoring Dr. King. "To promote that legacy is something that we wanted to do as a commission, so we put together a license plate allowing all Arkansans to be a part of that. And show their support by promoting those noble tenets of spouse by Dr. King, by simply purchasing their license plate," says DuShun Scarbrough, Executive Director of Arkansas MLK, Jr. Commission. Arkansas is only one of five states that carry the commemorative license plate honoring the civil rights leader. "Now this license plate is one of five states actually through out the United States has a license plate commemorating Dr. King; so we are very, very fortunate as a commission to have one. What we are wanting to do being that the 47th commemorative anniversary celebration for Dr. King is coming up, and to promote that legacy," states Scarbrough. The commission will be hosting a vigil on April 3 in Little Rock as well as a non-violent bullying program. "On April 3rd, we will be having our commemorative vigil for Martin Luther King, it will be in Little Rock. Also, we will have another non-violent bullying that will feature Roy Jones, Jr. He is a performance professional boxer world champion," says Markeith Cook, MLK, Jr. Commissioner, El Dorado. If you would like to get the license plate for yourself, just stop by your local DMV office.
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Head of the Arkansas MLK Commission Walks With
Thousands in Selma, Alabama
By Lisa Lindsey
March 10, 2015 1:24 PM
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DuShun Scarbrough, Executive Director of the
Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission, poses near a Welcome to Historic Selma sign.
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Last March marked the anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s historic walk from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama back in 1965.
According to the Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission:
Arkansas native DuShun Scarbrough, executive director of the Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission (AMLKC), joined thousands from across the world to pay homage to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the brave marchers who participated in the 1965 Selma March for Voting Rights.
Scarbrough represented Arkansas as he joined thousands who descended upon Selma, Alabama to walk in the footsteps of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and peaceful protesters who started the march for voting rights on Sunday, March 7, 1965, which became infamously known as "Bloody Sunday."
Scarbrough completed the first leg of the 50-mile highway stretch from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama on Sunday, March 8, 2015. He joined thousands who crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge to commemorate the historic "Bloody Sunday" march as marchers set out to march from Selma to capital City Montgomery, Alabama to convince Gov. George Wallace to consider extending voting rights to African-Americans.
"Walking across that bridge, I felt really connected to what happened on that 50 years ago, says Scarbrough. "When I was walking across that bridge, I thought in my mind that this was more than an event; the bridge symbolized a transition to change. I felt like I was part of something monumental. It was really an emotional experience. I was so proud to be able to represent my great state as the director of the Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission, a state agency that observes the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission," Scarbrough said.
The AMLKC also has released a commemorate license plate which allows Arkansans to pay homage to the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. license plates may be obtained at revenue offices across the states. Arkansas is now one of five states to carry the King license plate.
Below is a picture of the Arkansas license plate:
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