Charleston YWCA to host virtual Martin Luther King Day event

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - The Charleston YWCA says they are hosting their annual Martin Luther King Day parade and breakfast, but this year, everything will be virtual.

YWCA Executive Director LaVanda Brown says the protests over the summer remind her of the days Martin Luther King spoke not only about making a change, but taking actions.

So despite changes in this year’s MLK events, Brown says they are expecting more people than ever to attend.

The YWCA’s 49th annual MLK Day parade will be kicking off Monday’s events and organizers say it will start virtually at noon.

The group says they will then host the MLK Day Business and Professional Summit, also known as ‘the breakfast’, at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday. The event will be held over Zoom and hundreds have already registered.

Brown says she is grateful that there is no limit to how many people can register this year, and that folks can tune in from the comfort of their own homes.

There will be a keynote speaker, several performances, and Brown says the YWCA will give out its annual Joseph P. Riley award to a local activist.

Brown says the death of Martin Luther King Jr. is a reminder of the work that still needs to be done.

“We can not allow his death, or any of the other deaths we have witnessed, throughout literally the history of the country, but particularly in our recent history over the last 12 months, we cannot let these injustices or the outcry for justice go unheard and unacted upon,” Brown says. “So for me and for the YWCA it’s important that we honor doctor king because he gave his life for it, and the work still needs to be done.”

Brown says they are hoping anyone who wants to attend ‘the breakfast’, will register Monday as soon as possible.

Those that would like to register for the breakfast can do so on the YWCA’s website.

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