On Friday, Jan. 13, Augusta Technical College, Augusta University and Paine College will host a celebration honoring the 55th year of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy.
With keynote speaker, author, historian and professor Lewis Baldwin, the institutions are hoping attendees will get a deeper understanding of King’s history and how he drastically changed society.
“Paine College is pleased to be the host site for the 2023 annual Tri-College celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. For many years, Augusta Technical College, Augusta University and Paine College have joined together to co-host the celebration of this ‘warrior for justice’ who dedicated his life toward nonviolence, freedom, equality, and justice,” said Paine College President Cheryl Evans Jones. “The speaker, Dr. Lewis V. Baldwin, is a well-known scholar on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Through his work, Dr. Baldwin encourages us to listen to the words of Dr. King and embody his message in our lives to create the kind of society of which Dr. King dreamed.”
Baldwin has written several works on African Methodism and King’s history. Baldwin is recognized as an expert in various topics, such as the Spencer Churches – “the oldest black denominations in the country,” according to a press release from Augusta Technical College.
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This year’s topic for the event will be “The Forgotten Legacy: Remembering Martin Luther King Jr. in a Post-Truth Age.” Coordinator Rev. Luther Felder said the focus of the gathering is to educate and remind people about King’s critical and ongoing importance, as well as how everyone matters – especially in today’s “violent” times.
“In this season of vitriol, utter bitterness and violence in our society, it is critical that we are conscious of the life of someone who was able to accomplish many, many tasks with non-violence,” he said. “It’s also important that we understand that everybody is important. Everybody, from a bass black to a treble white, everybody is somebody on God’s keyboard. Everybody counts regardless of their race, gender, ethnicity, their religion – we are all of value to our creator. This event will help us to drive that message.”
Felder also said Baldwin’s expertise will allow audiences to receive an up-to-date analysis of King’s influence and his possible outlook on events, arguments and tactics being utilized in the present.
“King had a saying that he borrowed from someone … ‘Truth, crushed down to earth, shall rise again. Right there on the scaffold, forever on the throne,’” said Felder. “So, somehow, there is a sense in which truth has become a lost resource in our society, and Dr. Baldwin will help us to see through the lens of Dr. King Jr. It will help us to see how truth is currently mishandled in our society.”
Augusta University President Brooks A. Keel said he was looking forward to Baldwin’s speech because of his dedication to civil rights through a long career of ministerial work and scholarship, which ongoingly commemorates King’s mission.
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“We are proud to co-host this event to encourage the spirit of service upheld by Dr. King and inspire future generations to engage our community as we fulfill Augusta University’s mission to provide quality education and health care opportunities to all,” said Keel.
“The epic figure of Martin Luther King, Jr. looms large over our nation, reminding us that we cannot continue to prosper and survive in a culture in which objective truths and scientific facts seem to no longer matter,” said Baldwin.
The 2023 Martin Luther King Jr. celebration will be held on Friday, Jan. 13, at noon at Paine College Gilbert-Lambuth Memorial Chapel at 1235 15th St, Augusta, Ga. The program is open to the public and will also be streamed via Zoom.
“We look forward to commemorating his ideas, principles, and values regarding love, justice, and peace at this year’s annual event,” said Augusta Technical College President Jermaine Whirl.
Liz Wright is a staff writer covering education and general assignments for The Augusta Press. Reach her at liz@theaugustapress.com
