Black History Month discussion set

HOPE – A discussion Thursday evening at Yerger Middle School by local education, church, civic, student and other leaders will focus on their perspectives about the importance of the “I Have a Dream” speech by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the historic March on Washington in 1963.\r\n

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The program will include an historical perspective presented by the National Parks Service reflecting Dr. King’s participation in a program with an historic array of civil rights leaders, and little-known facts about the event.\r\n

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The panel discussion will be moderated by Eighth Judicial District-North Circuit Judge Randy Wright. \r\n

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Panelists will include Davionna Perkins, Hope High School student; Rev. Jessie Henry, Charity Missionary Baptist Church in Fulton; Sheila Hopson, Hope High School business teacher; Kayla Jones, Hope High School career coach; Floyd Young, former mayor – City of Hope, and retired HHS counselor; Dennis Ramsey, former mayor – City of Hope; Dr. Linda Clark, Hope Public Schools social services coordinator; Tarona Armstrong, superintendent, President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace National Historic Site; and, Mike Simpson, training specialist, National Parks Service.\r\n

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Sponsored by the Hope Public Schools during Black History Month, the event is open to the public and will begin at 6 p.m. in the YMS cafeteria.\r\n