McKinney Center to Host Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service at Depot Street Park

JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. – The birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is commemorated with a service-oriented event that draws on the teachings of Dr. King, who famously stated, “Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve” noon Jan. 15 at Depot Street Park.

The McKinney Center is inviting the Jonesborough Community to meet at Depot Street Park, across the road from where Alfred Greenlee lived; and where Jonesborough’s own Buffalo Soldier, Alfred Martin Rhea, a former slave who served in the United States Army after emancipation, bought a home and lived after retirement.

A Peace Walk will be taken from the park, along Alfred Greenlee’s usual morning walk, down to the site of where the Emancipator was published. Along with Alfred’s walk, stories will be presented about the Buffalo Soldier, Greenlee’s life, and the first abolitionist newspaper in the U.S.

After the walk, participants will have an opportunity to take part in a community art project led by McKinney Center art faculty, decorating the fence at Depot Street Park with a design to commemorate the service work of Alfred Greenlee. All participants will receive a commemorative MLK Day of Service button. 

For more information about this event, contact McKinney Center Director Theresa Hammons at theresah@jonesboroughtn.org or call 423-753-1010.

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