Mesquite, TX - Jan. 19, 2020 - Mesquite hosted its annual Martin Luther King, Jr. parade and community celebration on Sat., Jan. 18. The activities were a partnership between the City of Mesquite and the Mesquite NAACP. The celebration was highlighted by the Candle Lighting Ceremony and Benediction by Pastor Reginald Jefferson, Mayor Bruce Archer and Henry L. Brown. The Keynote Speaker was Dallas County Sheriff Marian Brown.
The parade feature various displays and bands, and a route that included Downtown Mesquite. The community celebration was held at the Mesquite Arts Center.
The Master of Ceremony Opening Remarks was by Pastor Morris Jackson. The program of music, dance and speeches was as follows:
2:05 p.m. Invocation Pastor James Earl Jones – First Mount Olive Baptist Church
2:10 p.m. Song
Adult Community Choir – Black National Anthem
Praise Dance
Pure Worship
2:15 p.m. Mayoral Address Mayor Bruce Archer
2:25 p.m. Occasion Pastor Terry Turner, Mesquite Friendship Baptist Church
2:30 p.m. Song Youth Community Choir
2:35 p.m. Remarks Representative Victoria Neave
2:45 p.m. Monologue Vanessa Trevino - MISD Student, North Mesquite H.S.
2:50 p.m. Praise Dance Unity
Song Adult Community Choir
3:00 p.m. Monologue Courtney Bell, Jr. – MISD Student, John Horn H.S.
3:05 p.m. Keynote Speaker Introduction Representative Rhetta Bowers – waiting confirmation
3:10 p.m. Keynote Speaker Sheriff Marian Brown
3:30 p.m. Community Service Presentation Ron Ward – NAACP
3:35 pm. Poem Mitchell Magee, New Hope Baptist Church
3:40 p.m. Song Bishop Sherman
3:45 p.m. Reading Henry L. Brown, Mesquite NAACP
3:55 p.m. Candle Lighting Ceremony and Benediction
Pastor Reginald Jefferson, Mayor Bruce Archer and Henry L. Brown
4:00 p.m. Benediction and Group Song
Pastor Reginald Jefferson, New Hope Baptist Church