Important Dates for the annual Myrtle Beach Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend of celebrations
January 12-16, 2017
A celebration in honor of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Leader, Pastor, Teacher, and Citizen
Thursday, Jan. 12:
Welcome Mixer and Reception
At Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, by Invitation Only, 5 – 7 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 13:
Welcome Continental Breakfast/Keynote Address
Myrtle Beach Convention Center, Ballrooms A & B, 8 – 9:30 a.m.
Guest speaker State Rep. Mia McCloud (79th District, Columbia)
Translating Diversity: A Workshop
Myrtle Beach Convention Center, Ballrooms A & B
Opening: 9:30 -10 a.m., Morning Workshop 10 – Noon, Afternoon Workshop 1:30 – 3:30 p. m.
Presented by Dr. Graeme Coetzer, Director of the Institute of Community Development, College of Charleston
Employability Workshop and Jobs Fair
Myrtle Beach Convention Center, Ballroom D, 9 a.m. – noon
Preparation of resumes, potential employee best practices, on-site job interviews with local employers
Small Business Workshops
Myrtle Beach Convention Center, Ballroom E, 10 a.m. – Noon
Procurement officers will be discussing obtaining government contracts, including SBA, City, County, State and Federal
Martin Luther King Film Festival
Myrtle Beach Convention Center, 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Showing movies and documentaries over several days: Selma; Freedom on My Mind; Boycott; The Witness: From the Balcony of Room 306; Selma, Lord, Selma; Freedom Riders; The March; Soundtrack for a Revolution; Here Am I, Send Me: The Journey of Jonathan Daniels
Saturday, January 14
Martin Luther King Film Festival
Myrtle Beach Convention Center, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Showing movies and documentaries over several days.
5K Freedom Run
Sponsored by Festival Promotions, Inc., start line at Rockin’ Jump Trampoline Park, 2200 North Oak St., Myrtle Beach, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.,
Saturday Matinee Feature Film Event
Myrtle Beach Convention Center, 1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Press conference with special guests following Disney movie Selma, Lord, Selma, starring Jurnee Smollett (Underground)
Carolina Got Talent Program and Contest
Myrtle Beach Convention Center, Ballroom, featuring local amateur entertainment and talent contest, 5 – 8 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 15 – “Civil Rights Sunday”
Ecumenical Worship and Thanksgiving Service
Mt. Olive AME Church, 1108 Carver St, Myrtle Beach, 4 – 5:30 p.m., Led by Rev. Thomas Hamersham, Pastor, Mt. Olive AME Church, and the Very Rev. Edward Fitzgerald, Pastor, St. Michael Catholic Church, Garden City.
Musical Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Myrtle Beach Convention Center, Ballroom, 7 – 9 p.m.,[TBD] featuring local entertainment by young people in many diverse genres of music
Monday, Jan. 16, MLK Federal Holiday
Corporate Community “Drum Major” Awards Breakfast
Myrtle Beach Convention Center Ballroom, 8 a.m. Keynote Speaker, Henry “Hank” Singleton, Benedict College, Columbia SC, son of the late legendary South Carolina NAACP leader and Civil Rights activist Rev. H. H. Singleton. MCs: Tim McGinnis (WPDE) and Christel Bell (WMBF). Presentation of 13 “Drum Major” Awards (MLK’s sermon, “Drum Major Instinct”: “If you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice; say that I was a drum major for peace; I was a drum major for righteousness.”)
Freedom Parade
25th Ave. North at Kings Highway to 9th Ave. North at Kings Highway, starting at noon. Floats, marching bands, parade marshals, fire trucks, ROTC units, horses, motorcycles, antique automobiles
Speak Up…