January 16, 2017 8:30 a.m.
Information gathered from
N.C.Christian Leadership Conference
Program from Martin Luther King
Commemorative Service
January 16, 2017 8:38 a.m.
“In January 1981, a group of approximately 100 Fernandina Beach black citizens honored the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a twenty car motor procession. the motorcade began at Peck High School, preceded north on 10th Street to Centre Street, and ended at Downtown Dockside.”
“Prior to this, several black students from the high school and citizens annually “observed the occasion in various ways to say, “We are part of Dr. King’s Dream.” This concerned and dedicated group of young men, often assisted by the late Shirley Jean Williams and other supporters of the movement, kept marching on with faith that the faint rhythm of hope one day would burst into a harmony of all citizens.”
Eighty-six years later, the Martin Luther King Parade honoring the life of King continues. This year Annette Myers was the Grand Marshal.
On Saturday, the annual Martin Luther King breakfast was held at the Atlantic Avenue Recreation Center. Participating in the program from left to right were Nassau County Commissioner Danny Leeper (L), Nassau County NAACP President Rev. Patricia Thompson, keynote speaker Rev. Dr. Reginald L. Gundy of Jacksonville and 1st Vice-president Bishop Thomas Coleman.