The 22nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Unity Walk and Celebration will be held on Friday, January 18. The walk will begin at 8:15 a.m. at Bank Street AME Zion Church on East 5th Street. Participants will march to the Courthouse where there will be a program featuring students from the first integrated classes of local schools.

Black and white students who were part of the first integrated classes (1956-1957) will be on hand to tell their stories and talk about how Brown vs. the Board of Education, the Civil Rights Movement and the philosophies of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. impacted them and our community.

Judge Tyler Gills will be the Master of Ceremonies for a panel discussion featuring members of the first integrated class including James Milam, Jim Young and several others. John Edmonds, a gospel singer from Bowling Green, and Charles Neblett, historical SNCC Freedom Singer, will be performing.

This event is sponsored by Community Projects, Inc. whose leaders say they are excited about the day's activities. Everyone is invited. The emphasis is on educating our young people. Students from Russellville and Logan County will be participating in the walk.

The celebration will continue on Sunday, January 20 with a reception given in honor of the members of the first integrated classes. The reception will be at the Chamber of Commerce from 1 to 3 p.m.

For more information, contact Community Projects, Inc., Charles Neblett, president, and Marvinia Benton Neblett, at 270-726-6687.