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Published on January 15, 2025
La Vergne to Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with Renowned Speakers and Musical PerformancesSource: City of La Vergne

La Vergne is set to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a celebration event on January 20, which will take place at the La Vergne Middle School auditorium, located at 382 Stones River Road, as detailed by the City of La Vergne. The event will commemorate King's enduring influence on civil rights and social justice.

Beginning at 10 a.m., attendees can enjoy light refreshments and an array of speakers and performances. Pastor Joe E. Randle, Jr. and Rutherford County Commissioner Hope Oliver are announced as this year's guest speakers. According to the City of La Vergne's announcement, musical contributions will come from Michael Tait, Adam Agee, and Jeff Frankenstein of the Christian music group Newsboys, who will perform "Color" from their recent album.

Randle, an Air Force veteran and current pastor at Mt. View M.B. Church, has been a figure of support and education within his community. Hope Oliver, a trailblazer as the first Black woman elected to the Rutherford County Commission, remains a fierce proponent of issues ranging from public education to criminal justice reform, as per the City of La Vergne. Their respective journeys mirror the type of commitment to service and community that King exemplified.

The choice of Pastor Randle, with his extensive military and social work background, alongside Commissioner Oliver, a stalwart in education and social action, underscores the multifaceted approach to civil rights advocacy. The city’s decision to host such a diverse roster of speakers and artists for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day underscores a broader understanding of King’s dream.