Brookhaven’s ninth annual MLK Day dinner and celebration on Jan. 20 will be held at Lynwood Recreation Center, a former school that was one of the first to be a part of 1968’s integration program.
The celebration, a tribute to the so-called Lynwood Trailblazers, will include keynote speaker Monica Kaufman Pearson, a longtime newscaster, along with live performances, and special guests.
Pearson was the first woman and first minority to anchor the daily evening news in metro Atlanta, at WSB-TV, where she worked for 37 years. She now hosts and produces “Monica Pearson One on One,” a monthly personality interview program airing on Peachtree TV. Pearson has won more than 33 Southern regional and local Emmy Awards for reporting, anchoring, and her “Closeups” celebrity interview show.
“Monica Pearson’s appearance as the speaker for our Brookhaven Martin Luther King, Jr. event is a testament to her enduring legacy as a trailblazer in journalism and a voice for truth and equality,” Brookhaven Council member John Funny said. “Her words honor Dr. King’s vision while inspiring future generations to continue the fight for justice and unity.”
When she retired, Pearson was honored on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives by the bipartisan delegation of the state of Georgia for her years of service to improve the lives of Georgia residents.
“Even in retirement, Monica Pearson remains unparalleled in her status as an iconic journalist. I am very excited that the City of Brookhaven and Lynwood Park Community will have the chance to hear Monica Pearson’s perspective on the impact of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and how he changed the world,” Brookhaven District 1 Councilmember Michael Diaz said.
Purchase tickets for $10 at Lynwood Recreation Center, 3360 Osborne Road, Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., or by calling 404-637-0542.