BASTROP COUNTY MLK DAY 2021
BASTROP COUNTY MLK DAY 2021
The City of Smithville is honored to again host the 32nd Annual Bastrop County Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission Celebration in Bastrop County. This program rotates between the Cities of Bastrop, Elgin, and Smithville each year. It represents a very solemn and dedicated commitment between all members of Bastrop County in coming together to celebrate and honor Martin Luther King, Jr and his legacy.
This year’s Celebration takes place under extraordinary circumstances. We are not able to safely gather to walk together, and we are safer and stronger when we celebrate apart.
Join the community via Facebook: MLK Facebook Event
Walk for MLK: Post a photo using #BastropCountyMLKDay
January 18, 2021
MLK Jr. Holiday Commission - Virtual MLK Celebration
REMEMBER! CELEBRATE! ACT!
With the start of 2021, we are celebrating with a look back at our history, and a look to our future with a heightened awareness of the strength and power of peaceful protest and multicultural cooperation. We are celebrating under the shadow of shockingly parallel conditions to those that gave rise to MLK’s awesome leadership and powerful words. His work and legacy are in sharp focus this year, and we need his wisdom to help guide our ability to navigate our community into a more just and equitable future where zip codes don’t dictate health or wealth and where all members of the community are judged on the content of their characters.
But we must do this safely, as we share messages celebrating and promoting Dr. King’s legacy and the words of those who have picked up that baton and are running in that race today, as well as the students who will be moving the needle into the future.
The program is similar to that of years past, but you will find all the speechifying on this website. We encourage you to take a walk with your family and post selfies with the hashtag #BastropCountyMLKDay. We’ve also added a few videos to the lineup that would not have had time to be part of a live event due to time constraints. We sincerely hope that this website will be a source of inspiration for the entire year, not just the one day we allocate each year to celebrate the memory and legacy of the man.
MLK Day is called “A Day On, Not a Day Off” and therefore we are also celebrating our rich diversity of nonprofit organizations that can all use YOUR HELP on MLK Day and any other day of the year. Please consider reaching out to them to volunteer your time and efforts. Your involvement makes our community stronger. Every person in Bastrop County is important to this County, regardless of background, ethnicity, primary language, creed, or by any other measure of diversity. On MLK Day, we celebrate that diversity out loud, but every day we should continue to live in that light by respecting each other and encouraging everyone to become their best selves. Please join us.
Donations are requested for graduating seniors attending schools in Bastrop County including Bastrop High School, Cedar Creek High School, Colorado River Collegiate Academy, Elgin High School, McDade High School and Smithville High School. Last year the Commission joined together with scholarship committees throughout the county in a joint effort to assist the county’s youth obtain higher education. Scholarship can be awarded to students who apply to colleges and trade schools.
For additional information on the event contact Jill Strube at (512) 237-3282, Ext. 2109.
INVOCATION: PASTOR WILLIAM BROWN
Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing
Many terrific renditions of “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” are available online. Here are a few of what is considered the “Negro National Anthem.”
Alicia Keys: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DS60luWpBe0
The Spelman College Glee Club: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRF9FOPgLpw
Kirk Franklin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NZ6aftOorE
Kim Weston (1972): https://youtu.be/VMaMyVRB1cY
Preservation Hall Jazz Band: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9U2UGkkpoI
BASTROP COUNTY PROCLAMATION VIDEO:
Smithville Mayor Joanna Morgan Video
Elgin Mayor Ron Ramirez Video
Bastrop Mayor Connie Schroeder Video
JANAE POWELL, STUDENT SPEAKER, SMITHVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
JOSEPH OVERTON, STUDENT SPEAKER, BASTROP HIGH SCHOOL
MAYA CORNELIUS, STUDENT SPEAKER, CEDAR CREEK HIGH SCHOOL
JAHZIEL LEDUNA, STUDENT SPEAKER, COLORADO RIVER COLLEGIATE ACADEMY
BERENICE PALACIOS, STUDENT SPEAKER, MCDADE ISD
GENESIS STIGGERS, STUDENT SPEAKER, ELGIN ISD
Bastrop County Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission 2021
Many Cultures, One Dream: Rise Up
Thank you for joining The Bastrop County Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission for the 32nd Annual Bastrop County Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration! Remember! Celebrate! Act!
We are looking to you, our community partners, on behalf of the Bastrop County MLK, Jr. Scholarship Program to help students across the County. Because of the support of partners like you, many Bastrop County students have received needed assistance as they begin their first year of college. Our scholarship recipients are successful: maintaining high grade point averages and graduating with honors.
The Bastrop County MLK, Jr. Holiday Commission members hope to award more scholarships each year to enable students to complete their educational endeavors. We are counting on your donation to help us make a difference. Every donation, of any amount, helps our students realize their potential. It also helps inspire other students and prove that they have the power to go after their dreams.
Join us in making a difference. Donate to the MLK, Jr. Scholarship Program!
Pay Online via PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YEAXNWUUR4Z8J
Download a PDF form to mail a check: https://growthzonesitesprod.azureedge.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/1657/2021/01/8_MLKScholarshipForm2021.pdf
Checks may be made payable to the “Bastrop County MLK Holiday Commission.” State which school you wish your donation to support in the memo line.
Smithville ISD: Superintendent Cheryl Burns
Bastrop ISD: Superintendent Barry Edwards
Elgin ISD: Superintendent Jodi Duron
McDade ISD: Superintendent Barbara Marchbanks
We Shall Overcome:
“We Shall Overcome” is one of the oldest surviving songs of Black America. It is traditionally sung at the end of the MLK, Jr. Holiday programs.
Martin Luther King, Jr.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=130J-FdZDtY
Joan Baez @ March on Washington: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7akuOFp-ET8
Morehouse College Glee Club: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aor6-DkzBJ0
Shades Virtual Spring Jam 2020: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQmgt8qNKD8
Trey Clegg Singers/Atlanta Symphony Orchestra/Atlanta Opera Orchestra/Atlanta Freelance Musicians: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Pd8xAyrTxg
Diana Ross: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26CkOUpKHII
The History of “We Shall Overcome”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXDU3n4HTTY
BENEDICTION, PASTOR EXIE HENRY
Remember! Celebrate! Act!
Even though we are not able to walk together on the MLK, Jr. Holiday, we hope you will take a walking tour in your community on MLK Day and any other day of the year. When you do, take a selfie and post it to your social media with the hashtag #BastropCountyMLKDay so we can try to count the “virtual crowd” who came out to Celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Bastrop County is proud of its heritage landmarks. The maps and videos on this website showcase some of the important locations in Bastrop County Black History.
Smithville
SMITHVILLE WALKING TOUR: MLK 2021 Smithville Walking Map
MT. PILGRIM BAPTISTS CHURCH HISTORY, SMITHVILLE
A HISTORY OF MARY A. BROWN SCHOOL
MCDADE:
BASTROP:
Elgin
Elgin Black History Self-Guided Tour Map Elgin Black History Self-Guided Tour
Elgin Black History Self-Guided Tour Map
WINN'S MEMORIAL CHURCH - ELGIN, TX
GREATER MT. VERNON ZION AME CHURCH, ELGIN, TX
PLEASANT BETHANY BAPTISTS CHURCH, ELGIN, TX
MT. MORIAH, ELGIN, TX
Volunteer Opportunities
The MLK, Jr. Holiday has always been “A Day On, Not A Day Off” -- if you have the time, we hope you will serve your community. Opportunities to volunteer are everywhere throughout the County in practically every possible category. Love animals? Volunteer at the Friends of the Bastrop County Animal Shelter. Want to help a child in need? Be a CASA or help at the Children’s Advocacy Center. Want to help preserve history? Call the Bastrop County Museum and Visitor Center. Inspired by a Veteran? Check out the Red, White and Blue Veterans of Bastrop County or your local VFW or American Legion. Whatever tugs at your heart, you can be of service to your community!
BASTROP COUNTY MLK DAY PHOTOS: THROUGH THE YEARS
Download: MLK Walk photos through the years
30th ANNUAL MLK WALK - BASTROP
31st ANNUAL MLK WALK - ELGIN, TX
A BRIEF HISTORY OF BASTROP COUNTY HOLIDAY COMMISSION BY DOCK JACKSON
WHAT MLK MEANS TO ME AS A BUSINESS OWNER
CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVISTS IN ELGIN, TX
McDade: Early Blacks in McDade
Hannibal Lokumbe
Having grown up in Smithville but traveled the world over, Hannibal Lokumbe is an internationally recognized musician and philosopher.
God, Mississippi and a Man Called Evers: https://youtu.be/SHwURNmQELo
Bastrop County Cares “Healing History and Community Conversations”
“Healing History and Community Conversations” is a tribute to diversity and music in Bastrop County. This series is aimed at creating healing conversations and high-quality musical experiences to overcome the cross-cultural miscommunication that permeates our societal systems. It is through shared human experiences that we create inclusive approaches to resilience and the arts. Healing History works from a trauma-informed perspective to guide change for Bastrop County.
Two-minute recap of Healing History and Community Conversations: https://drive.google.com/file/d/15u9A5T6JI7uPq-gndYabCWUcZwlhvqJC/view
Community Input Video for Healing History: https://youtu.be/_g5ViBbTBgs
Link for submissions: https://forms.gle/ZkTuDxNasSWvaqRPA
BASTROP FREEDOM COLONIES: Bastrop Freedom Colonies Photos