The Augusta area will see several events to commemorate the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The Progressive Religious Coalition of Augusta will present its 18th Annual Commemoration of the Life and Vision of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Jan. 15 at Sacred Heart Cultural Center.
Stacey Floyd-Thomas, a renowned scholar and educator at the Vanderbilt Divinity School specializing in ethics, inclusion and faith, will be the speaker. The program will include performances by the John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School Chorale and the Augusta Junior Players.
On Friday, officials from Paine College, Augusta University and Augusta Technical College will join together for the 2026 tri-college celebration from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Gilbert-Lambuth Memorial Chapel on the campus of Paine College.
Lamell McMorris, DLP, founder and former CEO of Phase 2 Consulting, will give the keynote address to celebrate the life and legacy of MLK. There will be performances by the combined choirs and special greetings by Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson. This year’s offering will be presented to the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History. 1235 15th St.
On the holiday, Jan. 19, there will be a day of service from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at GAP Ministries, 1240 Ellis St.
The organizers are requesting easy-to-open and unexpired cans to ensure the items are accessible to all recipients, according to a news release.
The most needed items include canned soup, meat and fish; saltine crackers and ramen; pasta breakfast bars, oatmeal and grits. For those unable to attend the drop-off event in person, monetary donations are being accepted via donation portal here.
On Jan. 25, Aiken Technical College and the University of South Carolina Aiken will present Cecil J. Williams, a renowned photographer known for his visual documentation of the Civil Rights Movement, at the USCA Convocation Center.
The event will open at 2:30 p.m. with a service fair featuring area nonprofits and service agencies, followed by the program at 3 p.m.
“Williams has dedicated his career to preserving the stories of the Civil Rights Movement and those who have fought for justice and equality. His photography has been featured in major national publications and is included in the Smithsonian’s collection,” according to a news release.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years. She’s won multiple Georgia Press Association awards and is the recipient of the 2018 Greater Augusta Arts Council’s media award. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
