MLK Dinner celebrates diversity & community leadership

ALBANY, Ga. – The Albany Area Chamber of Commerce commemorate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., as it holds its special dinner event.

Residents from various parts of the Good Life City came together with the Albany Area Chamber Foundation and Albany State University to recognize the principles of unity influenced by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., in collaboration with the King Day Celebration Committee.

“The MLK Dinner has a long tradition here in Albany. And, the Albany Area Chamber Foundation, Albany State University, and the King Day Celebration Committee are proud to come together to host the MLK Dinner this year, as we did last year. The event is presented by Colony Bank and it’s really a representation of the ideals of unity and brotherhood of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” said Barbara Rivera Holmes, President & CEO, Albany Area Chamber of Commerce.

This event showcased talents from students of Dougherty County Schools. Keynote speaker, Rodney D. Bullard, CEO of “The Same House” institution and former Vice President of Global Corporate Social Responsibility at Chick-fil-A, shared insights from his extensive experience in social responsibility, community engagement, and philanthropy.

Barbara Rivera Holmes, President & CEO of the Albany Chamber of Commerce, elaborates further on the highlights of the MLK Dinner.

“Today, we’re also inspiring and involving the next generation of our community’s leadership. We have a student performer from our FLEX ABY Youth Entrepreneurship Competition. We have the Dougherty Comprehensive High School Chorus for a performance. We have the winners of our essay contest with the Dougherty County School System, who today will receive $1,000 scholarships to Albany State University. And, then, we also have the winners of our art competition and members of Femi Anderson. And, then also, we have the Minority Business Scholarship that we’re presenting to two businesses for an annual chamber membership. So, so many components of unity, diversity, generosity and embracing each other are being represented tonight through this glorious event,” said Barbara Rivera Holmes.

Barbara Rivera emphasizes the importance of striving to embody the ideals of Martin Luther King Jr., urging a collective effort towards this shared goal.

“The ideals of Martin Luther King Jr. should live out every single day in each one of us. Tonight is a remembrance of that. A celebration of that and something that we should be carrying on throughout the year,” said Barbara Rivera Holmes.

De’Andra Jacobs reporting.

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