Martin Luther King Jr. famously said, “I have a dream.”

Some Southeast Texans will be gathering to make sure that dream continues.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Support Group of Southeast Texas will be celebrating their 31st Annual Scholarship Brunch and Celebration at 10 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 16 at the Bob Bowers Civic Center, 3401 Cultural Center Dr. in Port Arthur.

This year’s entertainment honorees are Whitney Valcin and Shontel Cosby. Officer Michael Hebert of the Port Arthur Police Department for the Spirit Award.

The Rev. Joseph Roberts, Dr. J. Wesley Ramsey, Glenda Trainer and Zulema Escobedo are this year’s honorees.

MLK tribute and honor will go to Inika McPherson.

The Man and Woman of the Year will be announced during the program.

Damien Thaddeus Jones will be the 2017 MLK keynote speaker.

Jones is an activist and public intellectual, according to his website.

After completing duty in the United States Air Force, he studied public affairs at Texas Southern University in Houston. During and after college, he spent several years serving government agencies and non-profits that include Houston City Council, U.S. Congress, Texas Legislature, Houston Justice Coalition and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.

He also previously hosted a weekly talk radio program titled “A Closer Look” on KTSU on political and civic issues in the greater Houston area.

He organized thousands of Millennials to vote, protest and fight for justice and equality in America.

“As a media personality, culture critic and activist, Damien continues to ignite provocative dialogue on the state of community policing in America, inequities in our criminal justice system, and servant leadership,” it read

“In 2014, in response to the unfortunate rash of shootings involving law enforcement in America, Damien co-founded the Houston Justice Coalition, an organization committed to balancing the scales of justice in America through grassroots organizing of Millennials.”

He wrote HJC played a role in the creation of body camera policies and grand jury reform throughout the State of Texas.

Jones enjoys traveling the country visiting schools, prisons, churches, and civic clubs to empower young people with a message of purpose and servant leadership.

Memorial choir will perform.

An MLK church service will be held at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 15, at Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, 520 West Thomas Blvd. in Port Arthur. The guest pastor will be Michael P. Williams of Genesis Church in Houston.

Ariel Marie Davis will do praise and worship and be the soloist.

Felice Queen is also on the praise team. Deborah Freeman is on the praise team dancers.

Admission $10 for the brunch and celebration. Call Terry Savoy-Hadley for tickets at 409-543-3727.

David Ball: 409-721-2427