1st Mat-Su celebration set for tomorrow

Tomorrow, the country celebrates Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday. And for the first time, the Valley will be celebrating with a remembrance event.

Visions of Community: A Celebration of Dr. King Jr. is a program that started with one woman in November and quickly picked up momentum.

"I was drinking a cup of green tea in November and wondered to myself who was going to do what for Martin Luther King Day," said Wasilla resident Kim Marie Walker. "Since 1989, when I first moved to the Valley, I've asked myself that question, and never got an answer. I decided to do something about that."

Walker first approached Valley Performing Arts to see if she could use the Machetanz Theatre for an event, and VPA not only gave her use of the theater, but wanted to help sponsor the event.

"It only takes a spark to get something going," Walker said. "It's the time. I took the time to invest in the project. I really wanted to involve individuals."

Walker has been involved with Martin Luther King Jr. events for years. She said she can connect with King and the good he did because she if from that generation.

"It's not so much the day, but the persona and spirituality of him that we celebrate," Walker said. "He is a 20th century icon a lot of us can connect with because we are from that time of social change and the civil rights movement era."

The schedule for tomorrow's event includes songs, readings and speeches from a wide range of individuals. All will focus on King's nonviolent approach to social change.

Shirley Mae Springer Staten is singing, while Mat-Su Borough Mayor Tim Anderson and Wasilla Mayor Diane Keller are presenting proclamations.

Mahala Ashley Dickerson is one of eight guest speakers for the event. In 1948, she became Alabama's first black female attorney, and in 1952, she became Indiana's second. She was admitted to the Alaska bar in 1959, making her the first black attorney in Alaska history. She continues to practice law and is the founder of Al-Acres, Inc., a charitable corporation that donates a part of her 160-acre homestead to recreational, educational and religious purposes.

Lebron McPhail is another guest speaker. A 23-year Alaska resident, McPhail moved to the Valley in 1984 and has been a big influence in the lives of youth as a teacher, administrator, coach and friend. The Rev. Martha Blanchett and Delisa Renideo are guest speakers as well. Pastor Sergiy Korelov moved to the Valley in 2001 from the Ukraine, and he will be offering a speech as well.

Other program highlights include children ranging in age from seven to 15 reading letters that were mailed to Martin Luther King Jr. from children in the 1960s. Student guest speakers include Whitney Bostick, Charles May and Lia Rudolph.

The program begins at 3 p.m. at the Machetanz Theatre in Wasilla. The event is free, but limited to the first 150 people to show up because of seating restrictions. For more information, interested people can visit the Web site www.valleyperformingarts.org/visions.