By Kevin Shannahan

Natchitoches’ Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration was held on Feb. 17 at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Park. NSU student Malaya White, served as the event’s emcee. Tristan Jefferson delivered the opening prayer after which the young men and women of Weaver Elementary School’s Weaver Elites read a memorial poem and TJ Woodard gave a musical tribute. Reverend Ail Harris, Jr. of The Abundant Life Church delivered the keynote address.

The event closed with the brothers of NSU’s Alpha Phi Alpha chapter placing a wreath at Dr. King’s memorial. Dr. King was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, joining as a graduate student in 1952 at Boston College. The event was organized by the City of Natchitoches and Northwestern State University.