SEMO to host Martin Luther King Jr. celebration dinner on Jan. 21

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., (KBSI) — Southeast Missouri State University will host its annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Dinner on Jan. 21, bringing together faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members to honor King’s life and legacy.

This year’s theme is “The Power of Education and the Value of Community.” The keynote speaker will be Adrian Taylor Jr., founding pastor of Lighthouse United Church in Cape Girardeau. Taylor is known for his work in leadership development, race relations, spirituality and community engagement.

Taylor holds a doctorate and a master’s degree in theology from North Carolina College of Theology and serves as chaplain to both the men’s and women’s Redhawks basketball teams at SEMO. He has held numerous leadership roles, including vice chief apostle of the Coalition of Interdependent Apostles and the first African American president of the Cape Girardeau Ministerial Alliance. He and his wife, LaKenya, live in Jackson with their son.

The celebration will include a free dinner and begins at 6 p.m. in the University Center Ballroom. Registration is required.

More information and registration details are available at Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration | SEMO.