FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 15, 2008
CONTACT: Molly Dannenmaier
Director of Marketing and Public Relations,
409-765-7834
molly.dannenmaier@galvestonhistory.org

PRESS ALERT

Public is Invited to Galveston Historical Foundation’s Martin Luther King, Jr., Essay Contest Award Ceremony at Old Central Cultural Center, Sunday, January 20

Ever since the inception of Galveston Historical Foundation’s (GHF)’s African American Heritage Committee seven years ago, the foundation has sponsored a contest in which area high school students are invited to write essays focusing on the life and accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Every year the winners are honored at a special open house and reception at Old Central Cultural Center, 2627 Avenue M in Galveston. The event is free and open to the public.

This year the award ceremony is being held from 3 to 5 p.m. at Old Central. Essay winners will be presented at 3:30 p.m. All participants in the contest will be recognized. Exhibits by the Nia Cultural Center will be on display. Refreshments will be provided by Clary’s Restaurant. Ennis E. Williams, Jr., Old Central Board President, will present the program introductions. Mayor Lyda Anne Thomas will offer a proclamation. GHF’s Executive Director Dwayne Jones, GHF’s Board President, Raymond Lewis, and GISD Superintendant Lynne Cleveland will present the awards to the essay contest winners.

Lewis will be honored at the ceremony as the first African-American president of Galveston Historical Foundation. Williams will present him with the Old Central Cultural Center, Inc. Presidential Award for Dedication the Center and the Community.

The essay assignment this year has been to focus on the lives of both Dr. King and his widow, Coretta Scott King, telling in 300 to 500 words, how Dr. and Mrs. King’s lives have influenced them. Dr. King was assassinated at age 39 in Memphis on April 4, 1968. Mrs. King died of complications from a stroke and cancer at the age of 78, after decades of carrying on her husband’s legacy, on January 30, 2006.

When the Galveston MLK essay contest was first conceived seven years ago, the students’ assignment was to write a letter to Mrs. King. For five years the students wrote these letters and the committee organizers mailed them to Mrs. King.

The year before her death, she sent this response to organizers Maggie and Ennis Williams: “Please tell your students to continue to read and study about my husband, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and his life, and read books that he wrote. I hope they will grow to be like him and someday help those who need help. He gave his life loving and serving others.”

At a 3 p.m. ceremony open to the public Sunday at Old Central Cultural Center, 2627 Avenue M in Galveston, the Galveston Historical Foundation will announce the winners of this year’s Martin Luther King Essay Contest and offer awards and honorable mentions. First place winner receives $300. Second place receives $200. Third place receives $100. Winners will read their essays at the ceremony. Refreshments will be served. Members of the community are invited to attend.