MIFA celebrates Martin Luther King Day
Free public event set for January 16
MIFA will honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a public birthday celebration on January 16 at 10 a.m. at its headquarters, 910 Vance Ave.
The free event will feature guest speaker Edward L. Stanton III, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, and will include the announcement of the 15 finalists in MIFA’s seventh annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Teen Oratorical Contest as well as a special holiday meals delivery to area homebound seniors. Bernal E. Smith II, President and Publisher of Tri-State Defender, will serve as the program’s emcee.
President Barack Obama nominated attorney Stanton for the position of U.S. Attorney of the Western District of Tennessee on April 14, 2011, and the U.S. Senate unanimously confirmed his nomination last August. In this position, he is chief federal law enforcement officer within the 22 counties that comprise the state’s western district.
As part of its education goals to develop leadership skills in high school students, MIFA will announce the finalists in its teen oratorical contest. For their speech, contest entrants must explain how an organization in Memphis demonstrates two or more of the four principles upon which Dr. King’s legacy rest: leadership, service, moral character or unity.
Following the program, birthday cake will be served and volunteers will deliver MIFA Meals on Wheels to about 1,000 homebound seniors.