The Rev. Gregory Johnson of Shiloh Baptist Church will conclude a celebration of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Jan. 17 with a recitation of King's 'I have a dream' speech.
Ocean City will hold its 25th annual celebration to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Saturday, Jan. 17.
This was the first ceremony of its kind in Cape May County.
It was organized by the late Rozelia Cobb, a popular special-education teacher at the Ocean City Intermediate School. Cobb realized the importance of the civil rights leader. She believed that young people should learn about his contributions and be involved in the event.
Those early programs included Ocean City students and local dancers and singers with the accent on youth. The upcoming celebration will also feature Ocean City school students presenting tributes and performing.
Cobb spread the word about the achievements of Dr. King with her powerful programs. She will be honored and remembered at this year’s Martin Luther King celebration. (
Read more about Cobb's life and legacy.)
The ceremony will be held 1 p.m. at Ocean City High School’s Hughes Performing Arts Center (on the beach block of Sixth Street). You will enjoy a great tribute of music, history and fellowship. It will be followed by a Soul Food Dinner in the high school cafeteria prepared by the women of the Shiloh Baptist and Macedonia United Methodist Churches. Donations will be accepted.
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There will also be a Day of Service honoring Dr. King from 9 a.m. to noon on Monday, Jan. 19.
Volunteers are encouraged to clean up different parts of the city. Signup for supply distribution and lunch will take place in the Senior Center at the Ocean City Community Center (18th Street and Simpson Avenue). For information, contact Charlotte Moyer, 399-6111 ext. 9711.
For more information on the tribute events, contact Councilman Antwan McClellan, (609) 517-6593 or Councilman Keith Hartzell, (609) 289-1484.
McClellan and Hartzell have been reaching out to churches and community groups to encourage attendance and participation in the events. They also have been promoting it to the public through social media and in a variety of other ways.
King received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 and his “I Have a Dream Speech” is often quoted. The Rev. Gregory Johnson of Shiloh Baptist Church will conclude Ocean City’s celebration with a recitation of King’s speech.
— News release from Ocean City Public Relations Director Mark Soifer
