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Published on January 13, 2025
Kingsport Marks 25th Anniversary of MLK Day Parade with Theme of Love and Charity InitiativesSource: Google Street View

Marking a quarter-century of remembrance and celebration, Kingsport residents will gather for the 25th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade on January 20. The procession, which champions the enduring messages of Dr. King through its theme, "ANSWER TO RACISM IS THE LOVE OF CHRIST" & "LOVE IS STILL ALIVE IN 2025; CHOOSE TO LOVE AND NOT HATE," will begin at 10:00 a.m., following a pre-parade assembly at 9:15 a.m. Participants are advised to gather at the intersection of E. Sullivan Street & Center Street, with parking facilities available near the New City Hall, located at 415 Broad Street, as per the City of Kingsport.

The route is set, starting from E. Sullivan Street, to feature cars, floats, and representatives from churches, businesses, and various organizations, before concluding at the New Kingsport City Hall. Alongside celebrating King's legacy, the event aligns with a citywide service action to support families in need, running from January 20 through April 30, where citizens are encouraged to contribute "$12 per baby" for Diapers & Wipes, towards the "Putting Babies First" initiative. Bishop Ronnie Wayne Collins of Joshua Generation International Inc., the event contact, emphasizes the community's contribution to both the parade and service event, which extends into the early spring, as per the City of Kingsport release.

Parade enthusiasts can express their participant interest by entering vehicles or walking the 20-minute route. This gesture, reminiscent of the civic marches that have long been part of American social movement tradition, offers a tangible way to advance Dr. King's vision through acts of unity and charity. Moreover, Bishop Ronnie Wayne Collins has stressed the importance of local support in a message that echoes the biblical injunction, "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth," as detailed by the City of Kingsport.

All contributions for the "Putting Babies First" program are tax-deductible, and donors are instructed to make out checks to Joshua Generation Int'l, Inc. (JGII), directed to their P.O. Box address in Kingsport. Interested parties may reach out directly to Bishop Ronnie Wayne Collins for further details on the parade or the ongoing charitable activities. His contact information includes a cell number and an email provided for community engagement and coordinative efforts. The parade and the service event are set to signify a strong start to the new year, fostering a spirit of love and unity in the Kingsport community, according to the City of Kingsport's release.