Locals will observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Monday’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday observances will begin first in Patterson, with Morgan City following in the afternoon.
The Patterson Civic Organization will hold its annual celebration at 10 a.m. at the New Salem Baptist Church, 1418 Cherry St., with two guest speakers, Patterson Police Chief Garrett Grogan and Minister Charles McKinley.
Allise Jennings-Salazar, chairman of the organization, said the group will also present 15 service awards to the members of the community, four posthumously.
Linzy Howard and Yani Paul will receive the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 2026 Service Award.
Trevor Richard, Slade Sanders, Ronnie Johnson, Curtis Hilliard, Stephanie Hartman, Neva and Jerome Jennings Sr., Tia Paul, and Leroy Gant will receive Citizen Service Awards.
Shalonda Butler, Coach Gilbert Johnson, Coach Floyd Brown and Frankie Harris will receive their awards posthumously.
Also, the Acadia and Mt. Pisgah Masonic lodges, and the LA Hustler Family Motorcycle Club will receive service awards.
“These individuals exemplify the heart and spirit of Dr. King through their service, leadership, and compassion. In one way or another, they live out Dr. King’s message of unity through action,” Jennings-Salazar said.
“Our philosophy is simple: It is important to give people their flowers while they can still smell them. Dr. King once said, ‘Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.’ That message is the foundation of this year’s celebration as we uplift our youth, recognize community servants, and reaffirm our commitment to unity.”
Also, Jennings-Salazar said approximately 80% of this year’s program will be led by children from the community. “By placing young people at the heart of the celebration, we aim to help them learn about Dr. King’s life.”
Chapter President Reginald Weary said the St. Mary NAACP will begin its 2026 program with a march from Morgan City Hall, 512 First St., that will begin at 2:30 p.m.
The march will travel to the New Zorah Baptist Church, 604 Julia St., where a program will begin at 3 p.m. with guest speaker the Rev Jaylan Grogan Sr., senior pastor at First Baptist Church in Oberlin.
Weary said the public is more than welcome to join in and participate. “Dr. King’s legacy gives us an opportunity to assess how far we’ve come, and to address issues that we need to tackle. Honoring him at the beginning of the year is a great opportunity to look back and then go forward.
“His legacy also lives through concerned citizens and leaders who strive to make sure that we, as a nation, continue to move forward in unity.”