Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Observance to Be Held at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center

RoAnn Destito, Office of General Services Commissioner, today reminded the public that New York State’s celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will be held on January 21, 2019 at 9 a.m. in the Empire State Plaza Convention Center. The public is invited to attend the free program in observation of Dr. King’s birth or watch it streamed live at empirestateplaza.ny.gov/nyking. The Be a King Volunteer Fair will begin at 9 a.m. at the base of The Egg; a musical prelude will start in the Convention Center at 9 a.m.; and the program will begin promptly at 10 a.m.

“Each year we celebrate the life and legacy of our nation’s most important civil rights leader by enjoying talented performers and inspirational speakers who pay tribute to Dr. King, at the NYS MLK Memorial Observance. This year we are especially excited to have Rashad Jennings giving the keynote address and Lillias White singing,” Commissioner Destito said. “I join Governor Cuomo and Acting Civil Service Commissioner Lola Brabham, who will give this year’s Call to Commemoration, in inviting everyone to come in person or watch the live video of this important tradition at the Empire State Plaza where we rededicate ourselves to keeping Dr. King’s dream alive.”

“I am proud and humbled to deliver this year’s Call to Commemoration and join with fellow New Yorkers as we celebrate and embrace Dr. King’s dream of peace and unity,” said Department of Civil Service Acting Commissioner Lola W. Brabham. “Through Dr. King’s legacy, let us  continue to remember the importance of leading by example and recommitting ourselves to achieving greatness by making a positive difference in our communities.”

This year’s keynote speaker is Rashad Andre Jennings, a former National Football League running back. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He also played for the Oakland Raiders and the New York Giants. Jennings played college football at the University of Pittsburgh but made the difficult choice to transfer to Liberty University to be by the side of his ailing father.

Upon becoming a free agent in the NFL, Jennings took his athleticism to the stage of ABC’s hit show “Dancing With The Stars.” Applying the same unwavering dedication to outworking all of his peers, Rashad took the dancing world by storm and was crowned Dancing With The Stars Season 24 Mirror Ball Champion. He has also made guest appearances on TV shows such as Starz network’s “Power” and NBC’s “Great News.”

Click here for additional information on the event. 

Source: Office of General Services