Best Graduation Gift(s) Ever!!

 

Morehouse College graduation speaker and billionaire, Robert F. Smith, announced he would pay off all student loans of all graduating seniors.  They all looked in disbelief as if to ask, ‘Did he say what I think he said?…pay off all our student loans?’

Well, well.  Most agree this was the best graduation speech ever!  Allowing these students to move forward in their career without being strapped with tens of thousands of dollars in debt is a real game changer.  It will allow them more choices in their career options.

As U.S. college graduates graduate with high amounts of student loan debt, African Americans tend to have more than other ethnic groups.  It is reported that the average 2019 Morehouse graduate owes $29,000 in student loan debt.  And, it will cost Mr. Smith about $40 million to pay off those loans for approximately 400 graduates.

 

Smith also committed to a $1.5 million donation to the Morehouse College prior to the graduation.

Thank you Robert F. Smith for sharing your wealth and changing the lives of the Morehouse College Class of 2019.  You rock!!

Wouldn’t it be great if other billionaire college commencement speakers would do the same?

 

 

Film Screening of A.D. King – Legacy & Mysterious Death

Alveda King, daughter of A.D. King, introduces her grandson.

Unsolved History, Life of a King is the title of this documentary screened tonight.  It is about the work of seldom talked about, A.D. King, brother of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  While listing his accomplishments as a skillful negotiator who was responsible for housing legislation signed by President Lyndon Johnson, we are also  presented with the mystery about how A.D. died.  Did he really drown in his own swimming pool? Or, was he silenced because he was getting too close to the truth about his famous brother’s death?

Shown at the theater of the MLKing, Jr. National Park Service Visitor Center, it was packed with King family members that included Alveda King, the oldest of the five children of A.D. King and Naomi King; Christine King Farris, the only sister of M.L and A.D. King; Elder Bernice King, daughter of M.L.King, Jr.  Other attendees included Rev. Gerald Durley, Willie Watkins,  and City Council President Felicia Moore.

After the movie screening, (l-r) Sherry, Elder Bernice King, Alveda King, Rev. Gerald Durley, and the movie executive producer Josetta Shropshire.

Mary, Yancey, and Sherry.

This film is very thorough. It includes interviews with Rev. James Orange, Lonnie King, Herman Russell, Alveda King, Lonnie King, C.T. Vivian, and the King family attorney.

On April 5, 2018, you can see this powerful documentary in Atlanta, GA on WATL TV. It will also be shown in Los Angeles, CA; Portland, OR; and Huntsville, AL. More cities and dates are coming soon. This is a “must see” film!

Atlanta Mayoral Inauguration Events On Jan. 2, 2018

Here are the details for the inauguration of Atlanta’s 60th Mayor. The events are free and open to the public.  Arrive an hour early to park (parking deck is not free) and get one of the 2,500 seats at the M.L.King Jr. Chapel. Or, take MARTA to avoid traffic congestion.

This would be a great opportunity for you to take a student or young adult.  Students can learn:
1) who are these elected officials
2) what they do
3) which one(s) represents their area
4) how to talk about it on social media
4) how policies made by elected officials  affect them now and in years to come
5) to memorialize the occasion by taking pictures at the event with these elected officials at the end of the Inauguration and all during the reception.

Inauguration Day Schedule Of Events
Tuesday January 2, 2018

Interfaith Worship Service – 8am
Impact Church
2323 Sylvan Road, Atlanta, GA 30344

Inaugural Ceremonies – 1pm
MLK Jr. International Chapel
Morehouse College
830 Westview Dr. SW, Atlanta, GA 30314
(doors open 11:30am)

One Atlanta – Citizen’s Reception – 5:30pm – 8:30am
Atlanta City Hall Atrium
55 Trinity Street, Atlanta, GA 30303
(Including Inaugural Community Service Project-
Please bring school supplies for APS students)

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