The celebration of the 2010 Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday will continue Monday morning with the naming of the recipient of the annual Martin Luther King Achievement Award and awarding of the Martin Luther King Scholarship.

Dr. Geoffrey Cousins, a native of McDowell County and the newest cardiothoracic surgeon to join the West Virginia University Heart Institute, will be the keynote speaker and WVU President James P. Clements will also speak at the 8 a.m. breakfast at the Mountainlair.

The Achievement Award is awarded annually to a West Virginia resident who has demonstrated a commitment to advancing Dr. King’s work in one or more of the following areas: civil rights, human rights, humanitarianism, social action, advocacy, civility, improving the human condition, and acting as a change agent for an inclusive and equal society for all people.

The $1,000 King Scholarship is awarded annually to a West Virginia University undergraduate student who has demonstrated an active interest and meaningful involvement in one or more of the following areas: human rights, civil rights, social justice, world peace, and other activities exemplary or reflective of the ideals and life of Dr. King.

The Unity Breakfast and awards are sponsored by the WVU Center for Black Culture & Research and the Martin Luther King Programs Committee.

Also on Jan. 18, the Morgantown Community Coalition for Social Justice will present “It’s a Small World” at the Morgantown High School Auditorium from 12:30-2:00 p.m.

Dr. Connie Park Rice, author of Our Monongalia: A History Of African Americans In Monongalia County, West Virginia, will speak about the black schools in Monongalia County.

Sandra Nelms, counselor at Cheat Lake Elementary, will tell the story of Henry “Box” Brown, who fled enslavement by shipping himself to freedom in a box.

The Morgantown High School Show Choir will perform, and artwork by Cheat Lake Elementary and St. Francis School students will be on display.

The Community Coalition for Social Justice in Morgantown brings together people from all backgrounds in the Morgantown and WVU communities to promote social justice.

All events are free and open to the public.

-WVU-

01/07/10

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