By The City of Newark
The City of Newark’s 33rd annual “Sing in Praise of King” observance on Monday, Jan.18, at 8 p.m. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the entire observance will be “virtual,” and can be viewed on the city’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/
This year’s keynote speaker will be Reverend Dr. William Barber, whois the President & Senior Lecturer of Repairers of the Breach, Co-Chair of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival; Bishop with The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries; Visiting Professor at Union Theological Seminary; Pastor of Greenleaf Christian Church, Disciples of Christ in Goldsboro, North Carolina, and the author of four books.
In addition, he is also the architect of the Forward Together Moral Movement that gained national acclaim with its Moral Monday protests at the North Carolina General Assembly in 2013. These weekly actions drew tens of thousands of North Carolinians and other moral witnesses to the state legislature. More than 1,200 peaceful protesters were arrested, handcuffed, and jailed. On September 12, 2016, Rev. Dr. Barber led a “Moral Day of Action,” the largest coordinated action on state capitals in U.S. history, calling for state governments to embrace a moral public policy agenda.
There will bespecial musical performances byCharles Butler & Trinity.Washington, D.C. native Charles Butler is a music teacher and director, as well as a vocalist and leader of the Stellar Award-nominated group Charles Butler& Trinity. With Trinity, Mr.Butler sought to raise the standard for contemporary gospel community choirs.
They will share the virtual stage with Kierra Sheard,an American gospel singer, songwriter, fashion designer, actress, entrepreneur, and creative director. Her hit single “You Don’t Know” was inspired by her mother, noted gospel singer Karen Clark Sheard, almost losing her life to a fatal blood clot.