With a resolute theme, the Self Culture Club has announced events for the 2018 Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend in El Dorado.
“Breaking the Chains …” will be the call for the weekend celebration that will kick off Saturday with the SCC’s signature Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Banquet and continue Sunday with the annual parade and gospel musical on Sunday — all of which will segue into Jan. 15, the federal holiday that honors the life and legacy of the august civil/human rights leader.
In no uncertain terms, the SCC declared the purpose of this year’s MLK weekend with a theme that was taken from Psalm 2, verse 3: “Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.”
The theme is an extension of the club’s motto — “Lifting as We Climb” — and its mission to promote spiritual and community growth and progress by providing some of the necessary tools to ensure success in life.
Banquet
Saul Lusk, former superintendent of the Strong-Huttig School District, has been tapped to deliver the keynote address for the 30th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Banquet.
The banquet is scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday in the El Dorado Conference Center, 311 S. West Ave.
Tickets are $25.
To purchase tickets or for more information, call SCC President Vicky Dobson at 870-665-0339, SCC Vice President Wanda James at 870-881-9005 or 870-863-6502, or any other SCC member.
Lusk retired in 2016 from the superintendent’s post of Strong-Huttig Schools.
It was his second stint as superintendent of the district, having resigned in 2008 after nine years and serving as superintendent in Lee County for four years before returning to Strong in 2012.
The Little Rock native is an alumnus of Altheimer High School.
He attended the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, where he graduated with a B.S. degree, and he went on to earn a Master of Science degree and certifications for principal and superintendent from Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia.
With a longtime ambition of becoming a school administrator, Lusk began his career as a Title I paraprofessional and tutor at Strong High School.
He worked his way up the educational ranks to social studies teacher, high-school counselor, and high-school principal before reaching the superintendent’s position.
In 2005, Lusk guided the Strong and Huttig school districts through state-mandated consolidation.
He was married for 32 years to the late Brenda Waters-Lusk, who passed away last September.
Lusk has two adult children, Saul Lusk Jr. and Rosetta Lusk, and two grandchildren.
He serves as deacon, Sunday School superintendent, and Minister of Music at New Morning Star Baptist Church in Altheimer.
Parade
The 29th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade is set for 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.
The parade has become one of the most highly anticipated MLK events in El Dorado, drawing large crowds and featuring marching bands, dancing groups, walking groups, floats, decorated vehicles paying tribute to King.
Lineup will begin at 1 p.m. at the El Dorado Municipal Auditorium, 100 W. Eighth. The parade will proceed south on North West Avenue, west on Main and north on Washington to Memorial Stadium.
Gospel musical
Capping off the MLK weekend celebration in El Dorado will be the 11th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Gospel Musical, which will begin at 6 p.m. at New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, 800 S. Smith.
There will be solo performances by Kevia Gill and LaNora Johnson and a concert featuring Genesis, the Black Student Association choir of Southern Arkansas University.
The concert is free and open to public.
Tia Lyons may be contacted at 870-862-6611 or by email at tlyons@ eldoradonews.com.