John Sims figured that even his classic, rousing, oratory-style of speaking might not connect well with the virtual format of Monday’s 24th Annual Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration via Facebook Live.
So he decided to go from keynote speaker to main discussion leader for his part in the program beginning at 7:30 a.m. at the Facebook page for African American Pastors Alliance – AAPA.
The 33-year-old Columbus native, the athletic director at St. Peter’s Lutheran School, will be joined by friends Jerone Wood, a Columbus City Council member; Athens Church worship leader Chris Scott; and Kyle Hendricks, formerly with United of Bartholomew County and now with The Heritage Fund — the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County.
They will discuss the impact of King, the Baptist preacher and leader of the civil rights movement from the 1950s until his death from assassination in Memphis, Tennesee, in 1968. And they will discuss a variety of racial matters with just a few scripted questions.
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"Switching things up this time could be good," said Sims, who estimates that he has attended every King Day breakfast since they began locally. "Sometimes, it can be hard to listen to someone do a lecture-style talk on your phone."
Wood, also a veteran of the events via his mime presentations set to music, suggested the idea. Sims mentioned that the more relaxed format perhaps could better appeal to younger viewers.
The Rev. Fred King, a local African American Pastor’s Alliance member chairing the morning event, understands.
"I think that, with today’s social media, that perspective is probably true," King said.
Sims acknowledged that he probably will broach a few painful, racist experiences from his time in Columbus.
"It was traumatic," Sims said. "But, on the other hand, I have been able to forgive and to move forward."
The day’s events are a team effort among the pastors alliance, the Columbus/Bartholomew County Area NAACP Branch and IUPUC.
The morning also will include the presentation of the film, "The Story of Reconstruction," highlighting the period after the Civil War when Blacks became recognized citizens (and some were elected to Congress) and there came the readmission to the Union of the 11 states that had seceded at or before the outbreak of war.
Organizers also have arranged a grab-and-go, brought-to-your-car lunch from local restaurant Homeboyz Fried Chicken and Fish from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Reinhold Hill, IUPUC vice chancellor and dean, will begin the virtual afternoon session at 1 p.m. via Zoom https://iu.zoom.us/j/83712295068 by presenting the IUPUC Excellence in Diversity Awards. Following the awards presentation, Kevin Jones, IUPUC associate professor of management, will give a keynote address.
Dr. Slade Crowder of Columbus Regional Health will then speak about the COVID-19 vaccine and the Black community, followed immediately by a panel discussion moderated by Johnnie Edwards, NAACP president, that will feature panel members Tyshaun Allen, Brian Lewis, and Dr. Rachel Woods. The afternoon session concludes with the presentation of the NAACP awards.
The public is invited to join in a silent, socially-distanced march beginning at 4 p.m. at the Bartholomew County Public Library. The march will end on the steps of Columbus City Hall, where Zacaria Scruggs will share King’s classic 1963 speech, “I Have a Dream.”
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- 7:30 to 9 a.m. — Morning session with conversation among Columbus native at St. Peter’s Lutheran School athletic Director John Sims and friends Jerone Wood, Chris Scott and Kyle Hendricks. Via Facebook Live at the Facebook page for African American Pastors Alliance – AAPA.
- 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. — To-go lunch at Homeboyz Fried Chicken and Fish, 1451 Washington St. in downtown Columbus.
- 1 to 3 p.m. — Afternoon program via Zoom https://iu.zoom.us/j/83712295068 by presenting the IUPUC Excellence in Diversity Awards. Following the awards presentation, Kevin Jones, IUPUC Associate Professor of Management, will give a keynote address. Dr. Slade Crowder of Columbus Regional Health will then speak about the COVID-19 vaccine and the Black community; followed immediately by a panel discussion.
- 4 p.m. — Silent, socially-distanced march from the Bartholomew County Public Library to Columbus City Hall for a presentation of the Rev. Martin Luther King’s speech "I Have a Dream."
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