News Harris-Stowe State University For Immediate Release Contact: Courtney McCall (314) 340-3391 mccallc@hssu.edu <mailto:McCallc@hssu.edu> 2012 MLK Honorees to Reflect "Strength, Sacrifice and Service: Empowering a New Generation" St. Louis, MO (December 22, 2011) - The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. State Celebration Commission of Missouri will host its 26th annual kick-off program at Harris-Stowe State University on Saturday, January 7, 2012, at 6:30 p.m. Themed "Strength, Sacrifice and Service: Empowering a New Generation," this year's event will celebrate the work and accomplishments of those who, like Dr. King, have unselfishly worked toward the betterment of people on all levels and whose work has impacted the lives of youth. Adding a different element for the year 2012, the commission will focus on MLK-related service efforts around the state of Missouri, some of which will be highlighted in a special video presentation. 2012 honorees include: The Tyrone Thompson Institute for Non-Violence, Rev. Robert Lloyd, director Distinguished Service to Youth Award Cultural Leadership, Karen Kalish, founder Distinguished Organization Award Dennis Edwards, lead singer, The Temptations Distinguished Trailblazer Award Vantage Credit Union, Hubert H. Hoosman, president and CEO Distinguished Corporate Award Harry E. Johnson Sr., president and CEO, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation Distinguished "Living the Dream" Award The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. State Celebration Commission, under the new leadership of Constance Gully, who succeeded Dr. Henry Givens Jr., past chairman of the commission, is excited to also showcase the African dance talents of Notibutwe Muhindi Kambeng (We Children and Unity) and music selections by the St. Louis Children's Choirs. HSSU Assistant Vice President for Communications, Marketing, Alumni Affairs and Development Courtney Z. McCall and Executive Director of Institutional Security and Development Howard Richards will serve as the emcees for the evening, which will also include special appearances and remarks by Senator Claire McCaskill; Congressman William Lacy Clay Jr.; Congressman Russ Carnahan; Missouri Governor Jay Nixon; Senator Robin Wright-Jones; Mayor Francis G. Slay; County Executive Charlie Dooley, State Representative Tishaura Jones and License Collector Michael McMillan, among many others. Keynote speaker Dick Gregory, activist, comedian, nutritionist and actor will enlighten an audience of more than 1,200 at this year's MLK celebration. The public is invited to arrive early for this free event in the main auditorium of Harris-Stowe. The pre-program, featuring the sounds of the Jazz Edge will begin promptly at 5:30 p.m. The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. State Celebration Commission is comprised of governor-appointed individuals from throughout the state of Missouri. Its celebration is the second-largest in the United States after Atlanta's. For more information on MLK events throughout the state of Missouri and to access an electronic version of the 2012 Calendar of Events, please visit http://www.hssu.edu/sp_news.cfm?wID=50&n_ID=926 <http://www.hssu.edu/sp_news.cfm?wID=50&n_ID=926> . ### newsletter@aascu.org; adrianjournal@usa.net; jeffnews@yourjournal.com; nvrweakly@aol.com; richard.jackoway@molawyersmedia.com; kathie@sutin.net; khw733@webtv.net; news@suntimesnews.com;tgates@ketc.org; rsmith@kmov.com; pressrelease@kmov.com; desk@kmov.com; kmoxnews@kmox.com; news@wb11tv.com; erich@ksdk.gannett.com; sstevens@ksdk.gannett.com; news@ksdk.com; newstips@ksdk.com; ktvinews@tvstl.com; bonita.cornute@tvstl.com; stlpublicradio@stlpublicradio.org; hbcu-lib@lists.hbculibraries.org; dmoore@post-dispatch.com; debpeterson@post-dispatch.com; **********************Harris-Stowe State University********************** This e-mail is confidential and sent only to specified recipient(s). However, all e-mail is subject to possible interception by third parties. *************Contact postmaster@hssu.edu to report problems**************