MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. CELEBRATION DAY COMMMITTEE

HOLDS ANNUAL DR. KING BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

JANUARY 14 - 16TH IN WASHINGTON, DC

Celebration Salutes The Life, Dream and Vision of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Washington, DC - The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration Day Committee, Inc. will hold its Annual King Celebration in Washington, DC on January 14-16, 2006. This year’s theme is “…That All Men Are Created Equal." The success of Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement hinged largely on their commitment to non-violence. To that end, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Day Committee, Inc. in support of ROOT, Inc. "Guns Aside" Campaign is calling for a Moratorium on Violence not only through the weekend of celebration activities (Jan. 14-16, 2006), but throughout the year as a commitment to help eradicate the city of violence.

The three-day celebration will feature a Youth Symposium, Annual Black Tie Gala Reception, Gospel Musical Concert, Interfaith “Prayer, Peace, & Praise� Service, The Wreath Laying Ceremony and the Annual Celebrity Celebration Performance at the Historic Lincoln Theatre. (*Detailed schedule of events is attached). Local and national artists are also invited to share in the celebration, noted artists such as Stevie Wonder, The Winans, Kenny Latimore, Tony Terry, Melba Moore, Doug E. Fresh and many others have participated in previous celebrations. This year’s celebration will feature a surprise performance by a National Recording Artist. For the past 15 years the committee has provided a free weekend of events and activities for thousands of residents from the metropolitan area to attend.

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration Day Committee, Inc., is a nonprofit organization established in 1989, to educate and promote the National Birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The committee also assists in providing scholarships to graduating high school students. A summer tutorial and mentoring program was established to support school-aged children with learning disabilities. Each summer, the committee sponsors educational and recreational activities with social development and empowerment. For the past 15 years, the outreach program has assisted more than three thousand students through their summer youth programs. Students attend and participate in programs that provide them with hands-on jobs, related work experience, summer camp, field trips and many other positive and productive programs that help enhance their lives.

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration Committee, Inc.

Annual Weekend of Celebration

Saturday, January 14 thru Monday, January 16, 2006

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 2006
*2006 MLK Youth Symposium – "…That All Men Are Created Equal…"

(Free Admission)

Thurgood Marshall Academy

2427 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20020

Time: 10:00am - 200pm (Lunch Provided) *Free Event*

*Black Tie Gala Reception

The Residence of Ambassador Ronen Sen of India

2700 Macomb Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20008

Time: 6:00pm –9:00pm (Proceeds to benefit Scholarship Fund)

*Reception Ticket Donations: Single $50 / Couple$80*

Black Tie Gala Reception tickets are Limited - Must RSVP by January 19, 2006 to Register for Reception Guest List

*Tickets for Black Tie Reception include VIP seating at the Lincoln Theatre

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2006
*Gospel Musical Concert “"…That All Men Are Created Equal"

(Free Admission)

Nineteenth Street Baptist Church

4606 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20011

Time: 4:00pm – 6:00pm

Rev. Dr. Derrick Harkins, Host Pastor

Performers (TBA)

MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2006
Interfaith "Prayer, Peace, & Praise" Service
(Free Admission)

Tenth Street Baptist Church

1000 "R" Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001

Time: 10:00 am-12:00pm

Rev. A.C. Durant, Host Pastor, Keynote Speaker, (TBA)

(Immediately following the Inter-Faith Service, we will parade two blocks to the Memorial to lay wreath)

Wreath Laying Ceremony African-American Civil War Memorial
(Free Admission)

African-American Civil War Memorial

Vermont Avenue & "U" Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009

Time: 1:00 pm

Hon. Frank Smith, Jr., Chairperson

Celebrity Celebration Performance at the Historic Lincoln Theater

1215 "U" STREET, NW, Washington, DC 20009

(Free Admission with Ticket – must get advance ticket from Lincoln Theatre Box Office)

Time: 6:00pm-9:00pm (Free Event, Requires Tickets/Tickets Available Beginning Monday, January 9, 2006)

Scholarship Award Presentation: (TBA)

Featuring Local and National Entertainers and Performers

FOR INFO CALL: 202-345-4006 or visit:http://mlk.1colony.com

PRESS CONTACT: PRISCILLA CLARKE 202-723-2200 (Clarke & Associates, LLC) or email: pclarkepr@aol.com