Events to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. start Thursday

Citywide Celebration Committee events

Thursday

7 p.m.: The sixth annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Extravaganza will feature area students performing vocal and instrumental tributes to honor King's birthday. Where: Osage Community Centre

Sunday

6 p.m.: The 18th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration will celebrate King through tributes by area pastors, choirs and praise dancers. The annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Award will also be presented. Where: New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church

Monday

8 a.m.: The Rev. Ervin Williams of Champaign, Ill., will be the keynote speaker at the 23rd annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast. Williams is a Central High School graduate who formed Restoration Urban Ministries. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. The breakfast will be followed at 10:30 a.m. with the third annual Walk Down Memory Lane. Where: Osage Community Centre

Noon: The Rev. Charles Brown of St. Louis will be the keynote speaker at the seventh annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Luncheon. The Dr. C. John Ritter Humanitarian Award will also be presented. Where: Osage Community Centre

4 p.m.: Area students provide musical and oratorical tributes to King at the 12th annual Youth Gala. Where: West Park Mall

For more information, call organizer Debra Mitchell-Braxton at 573-979-0213 or e-mail debra@v-link.net.

<B>Southeast Missouri State University events

Tuesday

7 p.m.: Former high school football coaches Herman Boone and Bill Yoast sit down with Southeast coaches for a "Conversation with the Coaches" event. The two helped integrate the high school football teams of Alexandria, Va., a story that later became the inspiration for the film "Remember the Titans." The men will take questions from the audience. A screening of "Remember the Titans" follows.

Where: Bedell Performance Hall, River Campus

Jan. 23

6 p.m.: Yoast and Boone provide the keynote address at the university's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Dinner. Where: Show Me Center

For more information, go to www.semo.edu/MLK or call 651-2524.

-- Southeast Missourian