Rev F.N. Williams
Forty-four years ago, the Honorable Dr. F.N. Williams, Sr., pastor of the historic Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, and a close friend of Dr. Martin Luther King, created the Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration – the first in the nation.
The 44th Annual Antioch’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration is scheduled for Monday, January 18, 2016, at the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, 5902 Beall St. (in the heart of Acres Home). The theme of this year’s historic event is “Unity and Love for 2016 & Beyond.”
The celebration will include a full day of festivities, including a Memorial Service at 11 am, and the Mass Memorial Rally at 7 pm, where great gospel choirs from across the city will be showcased. The featured artist isChester D.T. Baldwin and group, national gospel recording artist. Karen Carter Richards will serve as the Keynote Speaker for the Mass Memorial Rally. Karen is the third publisher in the history of the iconic Forward Times newspaper. Her father, Julius Carter was the founding publisher. After his death, Karen’s mother, Lenora “Doll” Carter, served as the second publisher. The Forward Times is the largest Black-owned, independently published newspaper in the South, where this year they are celebrating 56 years of Reporting the Truth, Affecting Change and Moving Forward.
The 2016 recipient of the MLK Drum Major Award is Reginald Gordon, OG1, for his magnificent work with the youth of Houston and Harris County, Texas. A business major at Lee Community College and successful entrepreneur, Gordon developed a non-profit organization known as OG1-Operation Outreach Original Group One. OG1 uses educational methods, instead of scare tactics, to empower at-risk youth. Gordon functions as a Certified Anger Management Counselor and through his tireless efforts, he refuses to give up on Black and Brown youth. Gordon’s motto is – “The Greatest Bondage is Ignorance.”
This celebration has brought great speakers and guests in the past, such as our newly elected Mayor, Sylvester Turner; former mayor, Dr. Lee P. Brown; Dr. Rod Paige; Shirley DeLibero; Federal Judge Ken Hoyt; Pastor Isaac Matthews; Pastor Ralph West; Georgia Provost; Hon. Alvin O. Chambliss, Jr.; Congressmen Al Green and Gene Green; Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee; the late Beulah Shepard; Minister Robert Muhammad; Senator John Whitmire; Constables Ruben Davis, Ken Jones and Alan Rosen; Judge Ed Emmett; Publisher Roy D. Malonson; TSU President Dr. John M. Rudley; Councilmembers Jerry Davis and Jack Christie; Captain Paul Matthews; State Rep. Ron Reynolds; Honorable C.O. “Brad” Bradford; FBI Don K. Clark; Bubba Thomas; Dr. Vernus C. Swisher; William “Bill” Rosemon; Author Dr. Thurman W. Robins; Howard Middleton; and the list goes on.
Dr. F.N. Williams, Sr. welcomes the entire Houston community to participate in this special celebration, as he had the distinct honor of welcoming the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in person, whenever he brought his message to Houston. Dr. Williams was often the only local minister and pastor who was able to, and willing to, dedicate time and attention to Dr. King when he visited Houston. The Houston Baptist Pastors and Ministers Fellowship are partners for this event. The public is invited to attend this memorable celebration and all seats are FREE!!
For more information, please contact Sis. Anita Brown, Church Administrator at 713.692.5333 or call Georgia Provost at 281.704.6655.