The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission gathered at Rosa Parks Square Thursday for its annual Wreath-Laying Ceremony and announcement. Several organizations attended to highlight the importance of keeping Dr. King’s legacy alive, 365 days a year.

Several people spoke to highlight the work in our community which aligns with those principles Dr. King preached including Commissioner Elaine Lucas, Mayor Lester Miller, Executive Director of Community Affairs Dr. Henry Ficklin, NAACP President Gwen Westbrooks, District Attorney Anita Howard, Mentor’s Project Executive Director June O’Neal, Tubman Museum Executive Director Harold Young, and members of the Evangelical Ministers Alliance.

“We want all our citizens, all races, to join hands and celebrate together and walk through 2023 honoring the works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” said Commissioner Lucas. “We want our children to know that Dr. King did a lot of work, and they should emulate that kind of love and action.”

“The same God who held the hand of Dr. King, is holding our hands today. Here in Macon-Bibb, we don’t just talk the talk, we walk the walk,” said Mayor Miller. “This is indeed a celebration we can all take part in. We can come together and appreciate that life is precious.”

There are several events planned throughout the year, including the annual march from four locations to City Hall on MLK Day, a push to get 70 new mentors through the Mentor’s Project of Bibb County, art and cultural events at the Tubman Museum, and more. Visit www.MaconBibb.us/MLK to see the calendar and get involved.