NATCHEZ &045; In his August 1963 &uot;I Have a Dream&uot; speech, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke of his dream that one day, &uot;little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls and walk together as sisters and brothers.&uot;

Juanita Jones believes it’s important for today’s children to remember that due to the efforts of King and his fellow workers, that dream is in the process of being realized today.

That’s why she, along with Flora Terrell and Mary White, is organizing this year’s NAPAC Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Luncheon, to be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday in the Convention Center’s Nashville Room. Tickets are $10, but churches and organizations are being encouraged to sponsor youth to attend.

The event will feature youth talent, including praise dancing, singing and an ensemble band, as well as a speech by Morgantown Elementary fourth grader Matteson Ford. Ford will be introduced by his brother, fellow fourth grader Darien Ford.

&uot;We try to remind the children of the values of Dr. King, and we like to try to show them that children fought as hard in this struggle as adults, that they were put in jail and suspended from school&uot; for fighting for civil rights, Jones said. &uot;We try to show them (King) spoke out against all forms of hatred and encouraged non-violence.&uot;

The National Coalition of 100 Black Women Inc.’s Southwest Chapter also held its Ninth Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Rally Saturday night at Pilgrim Baptist Church.

The event showcased youth talent from throughout the Miss-Lou as well as remarks by the Rev. Leroy White.

This year’s parade in honor of King’s birthday will wind its way down Franklin Street to Martin Luther King Jr. Street Monday starting at 2:30 p.m. Floats, bands and other entries will start lining up for the parade at 1:30 p.m. on Broadway.

Vehicles must be moved from Franklin by 1:30 p.m. to make way for the parade, Police Chief Mike Mullins said.

Last year’s parade had 70-plus entries, and at least as many have signed up for this year’s, including the Natchez High and Robert Lewis Middle School bands, organizer Katie Moore said.

Natchez-Adams school Superintendent Anthony Morris will serve as grand marshal of the event, themed &uot;I Remember, Celebrate, Act &045; A Day On, Not a Day Off.&uot;

&uot;Dr. King was an outstanding person,&uot; Moore said. &uot;It’s fitting that we celebrate his birthday.&uot;

Perhaps it’s also a fitting time for the Adams County NAACP Chapter to hold its annual banquet, set for 7 p.m. today at the Natchez Community Center.

The price is $15 per person for the event, which will feature keynote speaker state Rep. Robert Johnson III and the presentation of the chapter’s annual awards, including Man of the Year and Woman of the Year, Moore said.