Darlington County celebrates the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.
Alumni and undergrads of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority (pictured) from the Florence and Darlington area joined together Jan. 19 for their annual community service project to strengthen black families. In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, the ladies prepared a free spaghetti lunch for 200 local mothers and children. The AKA lunch took place at the dining hall of Darlington’s Bethel AME Church on South Main Street.
“Our sorority has been in existence since 1908… and our motto is “Service to all mankind,”” said AKA chapter Epsilon Chi Omega president Wilson Anne Addison. “Last year our project was in Florence, and this year we’re over here in Darlington. We try to spread it around so that we’re not serving the same population all the time.”
Photos by Samantha Lyles
By Samantha Lyles, Staff Writer, slyles@newsandpressonline.com
Hartsville’s Butler Community Center played host Jan. 18 to a commemorative event celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The event featured a screening of the documentary film “Freedom Ain’t Free,” which examines the lives of several unsung heroes of the civil rights movement. Following the screening, the film’s director Eugene Washington took part in a panel discussion, which also included physician Dr. Burnett Gallman, Head Start leader and child advocate Darnell McPherson, Francis Marion University professor Dr. Louis Venters, and USC student Jabari Clyburn.
The discussion, moderated by former SC State Senator Maggie Glover, touched on a number of issues facing the African American community, including education, economic mobility, family building, and the enduring presence of racism in modern society.
People to People of Hartsville, an organization seeking to develop positive dialogue and connections among all the citizens of Hartsville, sponsored the event. To learn more about People to People, call Clayton Richardson at (843) 332-3420.
Photo album below. Mobile and tablet users, please click photo gallery: MLK Day in Darlington County 2015
