In the News ... "Odessa’s MLK celebration returns"

OA Photo by Jacob Ford

• Four-day celebration, January 14-17

By Michael Bauer, Reporter
• Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - This year’s theme for Odessa’s Martin Luther King Jr. celebration will be “Act on the Dream.”

The four-day celebration, which will last from Jan. 14-17, will feature a different event each day and is put on by the Black Cultural Council of Odessa.

“Act on the Dream is about instead of dreaming about something, we’re acting on the dream,” Secretary Treasurer for the Black Cultural Council of Odessa Tommie Haynes said. “Things that we’re dreaming about doing, we’re putting them into actions. We’re no longer talking about it, we’re doing it. That’s what our theme Act on the Dream comes from. Let’s put it in motion instead of talking about it.”

This year’s Martin Luther King celebrations will return to an in-person setting in Odessa after COVID forced last year’s cancelation.

“Our board is eager,” Black Cultural Council of Odessa President Jo Ann Littleton said. “We’re excited because last year, with COVID and everything, it was a downer. We weren’t able to have an event. As a community, we suffered. But safety comes first. This year, we’re able to bring back the Martin Luther King celebrations. We’re excited. The community is excited. We’re just hoping that people get vaccinated and wear their masks, not only to protect themselves but the people around them so we’re proceeding with caution and asking people to please wear their masks. We’ll have masks available at all of our events.”

One notable difference this year will be a parade instead of a march.

“When you say a march, you march to protest,” Littleton said. “You march because I don’t like what’s going on so the board took a different approach. We want to celebrate because it’s a celebration. We want to celebrate Dr. King’s legacy and act on his dream. So instead of marching, we’re having a parade. This is the first time we’ve tried a parade and so far, we’ve had great responses from the city of Odessa. We’ve had people call and want to participate.”

The parade will take place Jan. 17 at 1:30 p.m. and will start at Interstate 20 and South Dixie.

The parade route will go north on Dixie Blvd. to Murphy Street and turn right to go east before turning right on Woodson Street and disband in front of the Woodson Center.

The weekend’s celebration will start with the MLK Showcase Basketball Tournament starting at 7 p.m. Jan. 14 at the Woodson Boys and Girls Club.

That tournament will continue at 1 p.m. Jan. 15 at the Woodson Boys and Girls Club.

A gospel celebration will take place at 3:30 p.m. Jan. 16 at the First United Methodist Church, located on 415 N. Lee Street where the speaker will be Reverend Christopher Moore. Moore is the Senior Pastor of New Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Houston.

“Pastor Moore has been here before,” Littleton said. “He was here two years ago. He’s a dynamic speaker. He’s written a couple of books. He’s pastor of a large church in Houston. He says he’s looking forward to coming because it’s a different atmosphere here in Odessa.”

The King Brunch will be from 10 a.m.-noon Jan. 17 at the Woodson Community Center where Elder Roy Colvin Sr. will be the speaker.

The parade will follow.

“It feels great to do this,” Haynes said. “It’s our first time doing a parade and it feels great to put this on for the city and for people to come out and see what our organization is all about and how we can give back to the city. This parade is a good celebration for us.”

If you go

>> What: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration.
>> When: Jan. 14-17.

>> What: Third Annual MLK Showcase Basketball Tournament.
>> When: 7 p.m. Jan. 14.
>> Where: Woodson Boys and Girls Club.
>> Admission: $5 Adults. $3 Children (5 and under free).

>> What: Third Annual MLK Showcase Basketball Tournament.
>> When: 1 p.m. Jan. 15.
>> Where: Woodson Boys and Girls Club.
>> Admission: $5 Adults. $3 Children (5 and under free).

>> What: Gospel Celebration.
>> When: 3:30 p.m. Jan. 16.
>> Where: First United Methodist Church, 415 N. Lee Street.
>> Admission: Free.

>> What: King Brunch.
>> When: 10 a.m.-noon, Jan. 17.
>> Where: Woodson Community Center, 1000 E. Murphy Street.

>> What: Freedom Parade.
>> When: 1:30 p.m. Jan. 17.
>> Where: Parade starts at Interstate 20 and South Dixie and disbands in front of the Woodson Center ...

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