East Texans Hold Annual MLK Celebrations

TYLER — A renowned NHRA Pro Stock motorcyclist shares her thoughts as guest speaker at Tyler’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration. Peggy Llewellyn told KTBB her message dovetails with the theme of the event, “Learn to Live Together as Brothers” — and with Dr. King’s message. Llewellyn said, “He wanted to live in a country where everyone was accepted and there was love among each other — there were no differences. You lived as one, and you were happy, you were prosperous.” Asked why it’s so important to remember Dr. King, Llewellyn responded, “Dr. King was all about love because…he said hate was too great of a burden to bear. And it is — and you don’t grow from that.” Along with her motorsports activities, Llewellyn’s biography notes that she’s been honored for inspiring youth to become great achievers. She’s also active in raising awareness and funds to support a cure for breast cancer.

Also at the celebration, the Tyler Church and Community Network was honored with the annual Rev. Jerome R. Milton Award for Non-Violent Social Change. The network, facilitated by the Tyler Police Department, describes itself as “a community partnership working collaboratively at the neighborhood level to solve or reduce problems.” Rev. Milton initiated Tyler’s annual MLK celebration over 30 years ago. Tyler and Longview both scheduled multiple MLK activities. Most stretched over several days, with entries in an art contest due to remain on display at Tyler Public Library till February 9. Longview’s events included a jazz concert, parade, festival, worship service, and memorial march.