TALK OF GREENWOOD
Dr. Jerry Goodwin
Tayshawn Thompson (second from left) is the recipient of the MLK Dream Out Loud Student Award. He is pictured with (l-r) Dwayne Gardner, director of Tulsa Tech Peoria campus; Denise Henry, Tulsa Tech instructor; and Pleas Thompson, president of the MLK Jr. Commemoration Society. The program was held at Tulsa Technology Center Peoria Campus on Jan. 15. Photo Provided
Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Society held its 46th anniversary of the local observance of the famed civil rights leader’s birthdate, Jan. 13-20. This year’s theme was “Tulsa: The Dream in Motion.” Many programs were sponsored to invite many community members to attend.
The annual prayer service was held at Boston Avenue Baptist Church on Jan. 19. Rev. Scott Gordon, pastor of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Sapulpa, was the master of ceremonies.
The program opened with the singing of “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” by Cordaro Booker of the Booker School of Music. He offered two additional musical selections during the program. Welcome remarks were given by Rev. Dr. Samuel T. Powers, pastor of Boston Avenue Methodist Church.
The opening prayer was delivered by Evangelist Tim Good Voice with Montesoma Baptist Church. The occasion and recognitions were presented by Pleas Thompson, president of the MLK Jr. Commemoration Society.
This year’s MLK Dream Out Loud Student Award was given to Tayshawn Thompson. He is a senior at Broken Arrow High School and is concurrently enrolled in a criminal justice program at Tulsa Tech. Dwayne Gardner, director of the Tulsa Tech Peoria Campus, presented the award to him.
Dr. Ebony Johnson, superintendent of Tulsa Public Schools, was recognized with the 2025 Keeping the Dream Alive Award. Carol A. Singleton, an MLK Jr. Commemoration Society board member, introduced her.
Following Johnson’s remarks, Collin Waters, recipient of the “I Have a Dream” Speech Oratorical Speech Contest, was introduced by Angela Burnett, an MLK Jr. board member. He delivered the entire speech at the program.
Next on the program was the keynote speaker, Mayor Monroe Nichols IV of the City of Tulsa. Rev. Gordon introduced him.
After closing remarks, Rev. Gordon concluded the program with a prayer.
For more information, visit https://www.mlktulsa.com/ or call (918) 492-9495.
