The official observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday is this coming Monday. But the local Martin Luther King, Jr. Foundation was getting the celebration off to an early start at the soon-to-be-renamed Leon County Courthouse Wednesday, Jan. 11.
The awards presentations included lifetime achievement honors for Leon's longest-serving county judge, which was announced by State Senator Corey Simon.
"Today we honor someone who has lived a life that speaks to what Dr. King described as a 'beloved community;' Judge Augustus B. Aiken, Jr." said the senator by way of introduction.
The courthouse will be renamed for Judge Aikens after his retirement next year. Wednesday's keynote speech was delivered by nationally-known civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who had praise for his hometown.
"It all started here in Tallahassee! It all started with Bethel and Florida State and the Black Student Union. It started with all of us believing that we could make a better world for our children."
Monday's MLK celebration will include a parade through downtown Tallahassee, followed by multiple events at Cascades Park. One highlight will be the renaming of the amphitheater there in honor of local jazz legends Cannonball and Nat Adderley.
