Clark State Community College, the City of Springfield and the Springfield Human Relations Board will host the 30th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Luncheon on Friday, January 17 at 11:30 a.m. in the Grand Hall of the Hollenbeck Bayley Creative Arts and Conference Center, 275 South Limestone Street in downtown Springfield.
“Clark State is proud to be a sponsor for the luncheon in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.,” said Dr. Theresa Felder, senior vice president of student success at Clark State. “We are also happy to recognize students from our local schools who exemplify the characteristics of Dr. King through activities in their schools and in their personal lives.”
Stephen Francis, Esq., president and lead strategist for Franchise D&I Solutions in Columbus, Ohio, will be the featured guest speaker for the event, and the City of Springfield will present a Giving Citizen of the Year Award.
Francis selected the luncheon’s theme: “Living the Dream,” with a focus on “What Would King Do?”
Two local, historically disadvantaged businesses of the year will be recognized, 12 local high school students will be honored as peacemakers and one youth organization will be honored.
Clark State and the City of Springfield started the Peacemaker program in the 1980s. The City of Springfield gives each peacemaker a motivational book selected by John Young of Wittenberg University.
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Luncheon will officially denote the soft-start of Clark State’s February Black History Month celebration. Tickets for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Luncheon can be purchased for $25 by calling 937-324-7380.