Sundai Stevenson, a former Rome mayor, gives the closing remarks at the birthday observance for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Notables from the medical and faith communities turned out to honor Dr. KingÐÔÊӽ紫ý memory and legacy on Monday at City Auditorium.
In this 2024 file photo, Rome Middle School Principal Christian Barnes sings during the birthday observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at Rome City Hall.
Keynote speaker Rodney Bullard asked those in attendance to hold hands in solidarity during the birthday observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Rome on Monday. “I’m going to ask you to look around the room and squeeze the hand of the person next to you. Look at the diversity in the room.â€
Master of ceremonies Melvon Ingram led the program honoring the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday at the City Auditorium. The program wrapped up four days of celebrations surrounding the birthday of the civil rights leader.
The MLK Jr. Community ChildrenÐÔÊӽ紫ý Choir led by Virgil Harrison provided uplifting entertainment at the annual prayer breakfast held Saturday at Lovejoy Baptist Church Life Center.
Helena Finley, longtime area choir director, is presented with a bouquet by Morgan Samuel during a recognition of her service at the MLK Prayer Breakfast.
A buffet line of eggs, bacon, fresh fruits and more nourished bodies before speakers offered nourishment for the soul at Saturday's MLK Prayer Breakfast.
The keynote speaker for the birthday observance for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Rome was Rodney Bullard, the CEO of The Same House, a public benefit corporation dedicated to furthering economic mobility and bridging social division.Â
Songs of praise and hopes for the future were among the presentations at SaturdayÐÔÊӽ紫ý community prayer breakfast leading up to the keynote address by Barbara Lashley, deputy superintendent of Rome City Schools.
Alvin Jackson of the Rome MLK Commission rallies Freedom Marchers on Monday from the steps of city hall.
Steven Eckhoff
Alvin Jackson of the Rome MLK Commission rallies Freedom Marchers on Monday from the steps of city hall.
Adam Carey
Sundai Stevenson, a former Rome mayor, gives the closing remarks at the birthday observance for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Notables from the medical and faith communities turned out to honor Dr. KingÐÔÊӽ紫ý memory and legacy on Monday at City Auditorium.
Steven Eckhoff, file
In this 2024 file photo, Rome Middle School Principal Christian Barnes sings during the birthday observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at Rome City Hall.
Adam Carey
Keynote speaker Rodney Bullard asked those in attendance to hold hands in solidarity during the birthday observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Rome on Monday. “I’m going to ask you to look around the room and squeeze the hand of the person next to you. Look at the diversity in the room.â€
Steven Eckhoff
Participants braved the cold to march up Broad Street Monday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Steven Eckhoff
Master of ceremonies Melvon Ingram led the program honoring the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday at the City Auditorium. The program wrapped up four days of celebrations surrounding the birthday of the civil rights leader.
Steven Eckhoff
The MLK Jr. Community ChildrenÐÔÊӽ紫ý Choir led by Virgil Harrison provided uplifting entertainment at the annual prayer breakfast held Saturday at Lovejoy Baptist Church Life Center.
Steven Eckhoff
Lovejoy Baptist Pastor Carey Ingram gives the benediction Saturday at the MLK Prayer Breakfast held in the churchÐÔÊӽ紫ý fellowship hall.
Steven Eckhoff
Helena Finley, longtime area choir director, is presented with a bouquet by Morgan Samuel during a recognition of her service at the MLK Prayer Breakfast.
Steven Eckhoff
A buffet line of eggs, bacon, fresh fruits and more nourished bodies before speakers offered nourishment for the soul at Saturday's MLK Prayer Breakfast.
Steven Eckhoff
The keynote speaker for the birthday observance for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Rome was Rodney Bullard, the CEO of The Same House, a public benefit corporation dedicated to furthering economic mobility and bridging social division.Â
Steven Eckhoff
Participants say a prayer Monday before the Freedom March to honor the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.Â
Steven Eckhoff
Marching up Broad Street in frigid temperatures Monday, people gathered to honor the birthday observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Rome.
Steven Eckhoff
Warm drinks and smiles greeted participants in the march to honor the birthday of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday in Rome.
Steven Eckhoff
Songs of praise and hopes for the future were among the presentations at SaturdayÐÔÊӽ紫ý community prayer breakfast leading up to the keynote address by Barbara Lashley, deputy superintendent of Rome City Schools.
Steven Eckhoff, File
The Saturday prayer breakfast at Lovejoy Baptist Church in 2023 followed a talent show and preceded an ecumenical service at Christ Temple RPC.
Steven Eckhoff
Hundreds turned out to share faith, fellowship and food Saturday at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast.
Steven Eckhoff
Attendees chat as they sign in Saturday for the MLK prayer breakfast at the Lovejoy Baptist Church Life Center.
Despite the frigid temperatures, marchers and spectators wrapped up a weekend of celebrations honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday with the annual Freedom March on Broad Street.
Following the march, a noon program at the city auditorium with keynote speaker Rodney Bullard and the MLK Jr. Celebration Choir celebrated KingÐÔÊӽ紫ý life and work.
Bullard is CEO of The Same House, a public benefit corporation dedicated to furthering economic mobility and bridging social division since 2023. Previously, he led Global Social Responsibility at Chick-fil-A.
“ItÐÔÊӽ紫ý great to be in a city like Rome, with the leadership and collective wisdom to celebrate the life of Dr. King,†Bullard said. “Rome is like a second home to me.â€
Bullard grew up in Cedartown, where his father was pastor of Friendship Baptist Church for seven years, before his family moved to Atlanta where his father became pastor of a different church.
“What can we do together?†Bullard said. “I command you to change what you see is not right because you know it is not right.â€
Looking back, MLK Commission Vice Chairman Alvin Jackson, who helped organize RomeÐÔÊӽ紫ý original march decades ago, said he has hope.
“We’ve come a long way,†Jackson said. “But we still have a long way to go.â€
Jackson, who helped found the Martin Luther King Jr. Commission and continues to serve on the board, said the original march was small but it has grown exponentially and now stretches several city blocks.
Floyd County Commission Chair Allison Watters and newly elected Rome Mayor Craig McDaniel also spoke, bringing greetings from the city and county governments.
Former Rome mayor Sundai Stevenson gave the closing remarks.
“If no one has said to you today that you are special,†Stevenson told the audience, “please know that you are special and I love each and every one of you.â€
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