Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial Foundation, Inc. of Jacksonville, FL
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MLK VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Foundation, Inc., of Jacksonville, Florida, was established on January 30, 1989, to honor the memory and legacy of one of the most important historical figures of the 20th century. In order to promote and further the ideals and the philosophy of Dr. King, we coordinate annually, a host of activities commemorating the history of the Civil Rights movement.
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Foundation, also known as the "MLK Memorial Foundation" has, since its inception, hosted the annual MLK Holiday Grand Parade in Jacksonville. Other annual activities include:
- Annual Wreath-Laying Ceremony on January 15th
- The MLK Memorial Candlelight Vigil on April 4th
- Juneteenth in Jacksonville (Celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation)
- MLK Community Volunteer Awards
- MLK Scholarship Award
Among the projects we participate in during the year with community stakeholders are:
- Food Drives and Distribution
- Civil Rights History Workshops
- Tolerance and Diversity Training
- Voter Registration Drives
- Youth Field Trips
As we approach the 50th anniversary, we will expand on Dr. King's legacy by increasing our nonviolence and wellness training with a particular (and) significant emphasis on mental wellness.
Far too many people in the black community consider mental health issues and seeking therapy as a "white people thing." It is not acceptable to talk openly (or privately) about mental health issues as to do so is considered a weakness.
As activists and others tackle issues like economic equity, poverty, and mass incarceration, the role of a person's thoughts and resulting emotions and behavior often gets less attention than do the external forces that contribute to people's plights. Whether the community is ready to admit it or not, one's mental and emotional health are both results of and contributors to arriving at and overcoming significant life challenges like economic deprivation and mass incarceration.
We will integrate into our ongoing projects a series of mental health seminars hosted by mental health professionals. Additionally, we will host workshops in neighborhood community centers with topics ranging from Depression, Drug and Substance Abuse, Managing Stress, and other mental health disorders.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial Foundation, Inc. of Jacksonville, FL
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Foundation, Inc., of Jacksonville, Florida, was established on January 30, 1989, to honor the memory and legacy of one of the most important historical figures of the 20th century. In order to promote and further the ideals and the philosophy of Dr. King, we coordinate annually, a host of activities commemorating the history of the Civil Rights movement.
We are a 501(c) 3 organization staffed wholly with volunteers (no paid employees) promoting diversity, brotherhood, and a historically correct portrayal of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Movement.
We host annually, the MLK Holiday Grand Parade in Jacksonville, Florida and various other activities throughout the year including:
A Wreath-Laying Ceremony on January 15th (Birthday of MLK)
The MLK Memorial Candlelight Vigil on April 4th
Juneteenth Celebration on 3rd weekend of June commemorating the Emancipation Proclamation
MLK Community Volunteer Awards Banquet
MLK College Scholarship Award
Nonviolence and tolerance workshops
We provide community youth and adults with free Civil Rights era books (MLK, Rosa Parks, Medgar Evers, Muhammad Ali, Freedom Riders, etc.)
We will initiate in September 2018, an After-School Reading and Math program for students needing assistance
Student Field Trips
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Foundation evolved, in 1981, from an ad hoc committee created to stage a parade honoring the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King. In 1989, we became a non-profit, tax-exempt organization organized around the principles of nonviolence, brotherhood, tolerance, and diversity.
In the early years, the neighborhood parade numbered less than 50 active participants. However, it has grown precipitously over the years reaching its apex in 2017 with more than 250 individual units and thousands lined along the parade route. In 2018, we will celebrate the 37th anniversary of the MLK Holiday Parade in Jacksonville, Florida.
Over the years, we have instituted other annual events including a wreath-laying ceremony on the anniversary of the birthday of Dr. King. On April 4th, we host a Memorial Candlelight Vigil at local churches. The memorial service rotates each year on an interdenominational basis. On the third weekend of June, we host a Juneteenth Celebration (Juneteenth in Jacksonville) which commemorates the Emancipation Proclamation. Our other annual activity is the MLK Community Volunteer Awards Banquet held in December.
In the months of October through December, we conduct tolerance, diversity, nonviolence, and Civil Rights history workshops at our office and also engage the public at community centers and churches. When funding allows, we provide scholarship dollars to incoming college freshmen.
In 2018, we will extend our services to initiate programs and workshops for community activists and others across the spectrum in order to deal with mental health issues plaguing black, latino, and white communities. Our mental health focus will be concentrated on stress, alcohol, and opioid addiction.
The foundation provides professional in-kind services to smaller community organizations including marketing, financial assistance, volunteers, and printing services.
Our contact info:
101 E. Union Street Suite 100
Jacksonville, Florida 32202
www.mlkfdnorg.com
(904) 240-1523
Contact:
Gary Thomas, President
(904) 463-2425
garythomas@mlkfdnorg.com
Andr'e Neal, Vice President
(904) 768-2778
andreneal@mlkfdnorg.com