On Dec. 2, 1985, Gov. John Ashcroft signed an executive order to create the Martin Luther King, Jr. State Celebration Commission.
And for 25 years, Henry Givens, president of Harris-Stowe State University, has led the commission as its chairman in preserving Dr. King’s legacy.
Givens has since turned Missouri’s state celebration into the second largest celebration in the nation with the help of 18 governor-appointed commissioners. Despite the commission’s many achievements, Givens said his most profound accomplishment was leading the fight in 1986 for legislative approval in making Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday a state holiday.
On Jan. 8, Givens will receive the commission’s Lifetime Achievement Award at the its kick-off program, which has been held at Harris-Stowe for 25 years. The program takes place at 6:30 p.m., in the Main Auditorium of Harris-Stowe’s Dr. Henry Givens, Jr. Administration Building, 3026 Laclede Ave. It is free and open to the public.
Themed “Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. State Celebration Commission of Missouri under the Leadership of Dr. Henry Givens, Jr., Chairman,” the program will recognize the legacy and commitment of the commissioners by honoring them at the program.
Highlighting the evening will be keynote speaker Judge Greg Mathis. Mathis is nationally recognized as an advocate for justice, for his award-winning television court show and for his weekly newspaper column.
The awardees include Keith Antone Willis, Sr., publisher of Who’s Who in Black St. Louis, who will receive the Distinguished Entrepreneur Award; Dr. Dennis Golden, president of Fontbonne University, who will receive the Distinguished Education/Community Service Award; and Attorney Jerry Hunter, a charter member of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. State Celebration Commission, who will receive the Distinguished Pioneer Award. Mathis will also receive the Chairman’s Award.
Givens said these leaders’ contributions can serve as a foundation for young people to continue building a diverse, peaceful society.
“The most profound lesson during my long career as an educator, at all levels, is simply my belief that all children can learn,” Givens said.
A native St. Louisan, Givens has been president of Harris-Stowe State University since 1979. Under his leadership, the university has expanded its degree programs and increased its facilities from one building to seven.
Givens was educated in the St. Louis Public Schools, and he went on to earn his Ph.D. at Saint Louis University and study higher education administration at Harvard University. He began his career as a teacher in the Webster Groves School District before becoming principal of the first prototype magnet school in the nation.
Givens said he experienced first hand that with hard work and perseverance, one can achieve anything. And education is the key.
“I am, indeed, an example of this philosophy,” he said. “Little did I know at a young age that I would have a career that would span from elementary school teacher; to becoming the first African-American assistant commissioner of education in the State of Missouri; and finally to becoming the first and only president of the prestigious Harris-Stowe State University.”
Givens said he hopes that citizens from all walks of life will come to celebrate the legacy of Dr. King and embrace and promote nonviolence in the community.
The program’s entertainment will consist of The Jazz Edge; Jermaine Smith, international opera tenor; the Harris-Stowe State University Concert Chorale; and New Sunny Mount Missionary Baptist Chancel Choir.
Immediately following the program, there will be a reception, featuring Steve Schankman and the Fabulous Motown Revue, on the ground floor of the Dr. Henry Givens Jr. Administration Building.
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