Annual Martin Luther King Jr., celebration to be held in KCK

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ---- The Reverend Doctor Forrest E. Harris, president of the American Baptist College located in Nashville, Tennessee, will be the keynote speaker for the 2015 Kansas City, Kansas Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Celebration.

Addressing the theme, "Hands Up for Peace; Hands Up For Justice; Hands Up For God!", Dr. Harris will deliver his keynote message at 11 a.m. on Monday, January 19, 2015, at the Jack Reardon Civic Center located at 500 Minnesota Avenue in Kansas City, KS.

Dr. Forrest E. Harris is nationally recognized as being one of the most progressive scholars, theological educators and visionary for prophetic Christianity in the Black Church tradition.

Dr. Harris holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree from Knoxville College, a Bachelor of Theology (Th.B.) degree from American Baptist College, Master of Divinity (M. Div.) and Doctor of Ministry (D. Min.) degrees from Vanderbilt University Divinity School where he was a Benjamin E. Mays Fellow and recipient of the Florence Conwell prize for preaching.

Over the past 30 years as a former pastor, branch president of the NAACP, leader of numerous community activist projects, director of Black 2 Church Studies at a major university, a respected preacher teacher and lecturer, Dr. Harris is accredited the distinction of making a significant contribution to the academy and the church by bridging academic theology with the practical ministry needs of the church.

Dr. Harris is the son of Mr. and Mrs. W.T. and Sallie Mae Harris of Memphis, Tennessee. He has a twin brother and seven other sisters and brothers. He is married to Jacqueline Borum Harris, and they have four children; Kara, Elliot, Jr., Morgan and Alexis.

The King Holiday Mass Celebration and Motorcade/March for Hunger will be held on the actual holiday, Monday, January 19th, 2015.

The Motorcade will start assembling at 9:00 a.m. and will depart promptly at 10 a.m. from the Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 5th and Richmond. It will take a select route through the community and will arrive at the Jack Reardon Civic Center, 5th and Minnesota, in time for the Mass Celebration.

The Motorcade For Hunger is being assisted through the motorcade coordinator, Frank Lavender with the assistance of the Prince Hall Lodge/ Widow's Sons Lodge # 17, United Way, and Youth Build.

Shuttle Services are being planned.