Sponsored by the Bulloch County branch of the NAACP, the theme for celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2008 is: "Racial Equality: Moving from Good to Great." The goal is to honor Americans who, in their everyday lives, take a stand for justice for all.

            Kicking off the festivities will be the MLK Prayer Breakfast, to be held at the St. Matthew's Catholic Church on Saturday, Jan. 19. The keynote speaker will be Statesboro High School teacher Dr. Enola Mosely, who will deliver a message aimed at area youths. There is a $10 donation to cover the cost of the breakfast.

            Pearl Brown, president of the Bulloch NAACP, outlined some goals in honoring the slain civil rights leader.

            "We start off with the prayer breakfast and involve a lot of youth in that," Brown said. "Usually we have a youth who is the emcee of the program and some of the youth from different churches or groups will do a step program or recite poems. Then, we have a speaker designed to motivate, encourage and challenge our young people."

            The centerpiece of the activities is the annual Martin Luther King Parade, next Monday, Jan. 21 at 2 p.m. in downtown Statesboro. For those interested in entering the parade, registration forms may be picked up at Craig R. Tremble and Son's Funeral Home. In order to plan the parade lineup, forms are due by Wednesday.

            Brown said interest in the parade continues to increase every year.

            "Every year the parade has been getting larger and larger," Brown said. "We've already heard from most of our elected officials and we have more school participation and community participation every year. I'm hoping this year won't be any exception."

            The parade begins on Olive Street behind KFC on North Main Street and moves toward downtown on North Main. The route turns onto West Main, then onto Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and end at the Luetta Moore Community Center.

            Immediately following the parade, a Community Service Program will be held at the Tabernacle Baptist Church on Bulloch Street. Dr. Randy Gunter, vice president for student affairs at Savannah State University, will be the keynote speaker.