Reverend Derek King, nephew of the late Martin Luther King, will be guest speaker at the St. Thomas-St. John chapter of the American Red Cross annual meeting and recognition ceremony at Palms Court Harborview Sunday, Dec. 3.
"He will talk on the importance of volunteerism," said Yvonne Zinicola, local chapter manager, her pleasure evident at King's appearance on the island.
King has had an illustrious career, following in the footsteps of his famous uncle. He has preached and taught sociology and religion. at several colleges and MLK service centers, receiving his Doctor of Divinity degree at the Virginia Seminary and College in 1994. He taught the discipline of "Kingian Nonviolence" at the MLK Center for Nonviolent Social Change Inc. in Atlanta, Georgia. He is in "Who's Who in Black America," and is an instructor in African American HIV/AIDS Fundamentals, sponsored by the Red Cross.
Among the awards to be given at the ceremony, (whose recipients are now secret), are a Volunteer of the Year Award, the Clara Barton Honor Award, a national award for meritorious leadership, and a Youth Volunteer of the Year.
Zinacola stressed that anyone who has volunteered anything for the year – blood, food or money – is welcome to attend the ceremony, which runs from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. with hors d 'oeuvres served.
Getting King here, Zinicola said, was a group effort, with Cape Air, United Airlines and Best Western Emerald Beach Resort pitching in.