Fourteen Memphis District employees and family members participated in the annual King Day event at the National Civil Rights Museum on Jan. 20. The museum is located at the historic Lorraine Motel on Mulberry Street, south of downtown Memphis.
According to the museum’s website the focus of King Day is a “celebration of community service and social justice in honor of Dr. King’s impact on the global society. Activities include daylong performances, family friendly activities and entertainment and the National Civil Rights Museum experience.”
Memphis District’s Government Purchase Card Business Manager Carla Wells has organized our agency’s participation in this event for the last 10 years.
“Our volunteers have been assigned the duties of greeters, museum guides, parking lot attendants, hospitality room attendants, Lifeblood helpers, Food Bank helpers and the list goes on,” she said. “We will help with anything that the museum needs help in doing – no job is too big or small. We started out with three volunteers from the district to our largest number being twenty.”
Wells said participation in this annual observance is very important to her.
“I felt compelled to give back to such a powerful legacy because I nor anyone else would be able to enjoy the freedom to live in a world where we can all work, play and live regardless of race, creed or color without the tireless efforts of the man whom which we celebrate and honor on this day,” she said. “We may have a long way to go but we have also come a long way thanks to Dr. King and his struggles and eventually a belief that took his life. We must never forget.”
Regional Technical Specialist-Geotechnical, Jamie Evans said this was his second year participating in the King Day observance.
“I feel it is important to remember the life of a very influential man in our country's history and also to participate in the life of the community,” he said. “Thanks to Carla for organizing our Memphis District group and also for her dedication to the event planning and coordination overall.”
Other employees and family members who participated in the all-day event included Thomas Coleman, Jr., Alexandria Duckett, Deborah Griffith, Sandra Hibbard, Reginald King, Ned McNaughton, Duncan McNaughton, Peg McNaughton, Cai McNaughton, Latashia Muse, Nichelle Terry and Sequoria Wilson.
Wells added that she plans to keep participation in this event going for a long time.
“I look forward to next year and the many years to come,” she added. “I am so proud of the Memphis District and the people who give of themselves for this event every year.”