(COLUMBIA, Tenn. - Jan. 8, 2016) - - - Columbia State Community College's Office of Access and Diversity will host its annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration program on Jan. 21 at 6:30 p.m. The tribute to King will take place in the Cherry Theater and feature poetry, music, prayer and reflections on the clergyman, activist and Civil Rights Movement leader.

"Each year, Columbia State celebrates the life and legacy of Dr. King through this wonderful program," said Dr. Christa Martin, assistant to the president for access and diversity. "We invite the community to come out and celebrate with us."

Martin said this year's theme is "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: A Gateway for Service to Others."

King, a prominent African American leader, was best known for his role in the advancement of civil rights using nonviolent civil disobedience.

The program features keynote speaker Chris Poynter, Boys & Girls Club of Maury County CEO; Russ Adcox, Maury Hills Church pastor; Andy Marshall, Puckett's Grocery and Restaurant owner; and Autumn Ford, McDowell Elementary School fourth grade student.

In addition, Columbia State faculty members Shelley Manns, associate professor of English and assistant director of learning support; Emily Gaskill, associate professor of music; and Joseph Cook, instructor of English, will participate in the program.

Praise dancers from Word of Life Inter-City Ministry and New Harvest Family Church will also participate in the evening's program.

The Cherry Theater is in the Waymon L. Hickman Building on the Columbia Campus, located at 1665 Hampshire Pike. The event is free and open to the public.

In case of inclement weather, the program will be rescheduled for Jan. 27 at 6:30 p.m.

Columbia State is a two-year college, serving a nine-county area in southern Middle Tennessee with locations in Columbia, Franklin, Lawrenceburg, Lewisburg and Clifton. As Tennessee's first community college, Columbia State is committed to increasing access and enhancing diversity at all five campuses. Columbia State is a member of the Tennessee Board of Regents, one of the largest higher education systems in the nation. For more information, please visit www.columbiastate.edu.

Tennessee's Community Colleges is a system of 13 colleges offering a high-quality, affordable, convenient and personal education to prepare students to achieve their educational and career goals in two years or less. We offer associate degree and certificate programs, workforce development programs and transfer pathways to four-year degrees. For more information, please visit us online at tncommunitycolleges.org.