Dr. Miles Davis, President of Linfield College in McMinnville (the first African American President in 162 years), will be the keynote speaker, and the theme is: “Now is ‘Still’ the Time!” Governor Kate Brown, County Chair Deborah Kafoury, Mayor Ted Wheeler, Metro President Lynn Peterson will give greetings, inter-faith leaders will give short messages of hope, the Pacific Youth Choir under the direction of Mia Hall will render music, as will the Linfield College Choir under the direction of Dr. Anna Song.
About the Event: The annual Drum Major Celebration is a two-day event honoring some of the City’s most promising students and most venerable leaders dedicated to humanitarianism, social justice, equity, and civil service. Hosted and sponsored by Portland’s historic Vancouver Avenue First Baptist Church, the celebration is scheduled for the weekend immediately prior to Martin Luther King Junior Day. The Salute to Greatness scholarship and civic awards luncheon will take place on Saturday, January 18, from 12 to 2 p.m. in the Church Fellowship Hall, while the Empower the Dream interfaith gathering and speaker series will take place on Sunday, January 19, in the Church Sanctuary, from 2 to 4 p.m.
The public is encouraged to attend both programs and donations are encouraged for both events. All donation proceeds go to the Drum Major Scholarship Fund to support future scholarship awards. If one can’t afford the donation, it will not be a barrier to entry.
For more information, please contact the church at (503) 282-9496, or visit www.vafbcpdx.org.
