The Natchez Branch of the NAACP will celebrate the NAACP’s 100 years of service and the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr this week.

The local branch has been busy gearing up for this week. For 100 years, from courtroom lawsuits to boardroom negotiations, from picket lines to economic boycotts, from school rooms to factory floors, the NAACP is still leading the fight to extend democracy to everyone. The NAACP serves as the nation’s catalyst in making the American dream of equality and dignity a reality for all.

The Natchez branch will kick off its celebration on today with its annual Martin Luther King Jr. banquet. This event invites our community at large to celebrate with us. We have asked churches, organizations, clubs, banks and the general public for their support for their support to make this event the best ever.

The banquet will be at 7 p.m. today at the Community Center downtown.

The guest speaker will be Mr. Ernest “Tony” Fields. He is minister of music at Zion Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, alderman of Ward 4, assistant principal at Frazier Primary School, plus the father of an adorable son, little Tony.

Mr. Fields is known to captivate his audience. After a night of listening and dining, the NAACP offers a Monday you won’t forget. The celebration continues with the Martin Luther King’s Luncheon at 11 a.m. at the Natchez Convention Center.

Our youth will display their talent with dances, speeches and songs echoing, keeping the dream alive. The celebration will culminate with the Martin Luther King’s parade at 2:30 p.m. The lineup will being at 1:30 p.m. on the bluff.

The committees have worked hard to make sure this is a memorable weekend.

Come and join us at 7 tonight, at 11 a.m. Monday and Monday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. On your mark, get set, come celebrate with us.

Lynda Joe Williams is a member of the Natchez NAACP.