NEWS

Faith Leeann Moore

The Town of Davidson hosted its annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration on Monday, January 19, 2026, in the Davidson Town Hall and Community Center Auditorium at 251 South Street. This year’s theme was Mission Possible II: Building Community, Uniting a Nation the Nonviolent Way.

Members of the N.C. Youth Orchestra (News of Davidson photo)

The North Carolina Youth Orchestra began a musical performance at 9:30 a.m., as the crowd slowly began assembling, filling the auditorium. The Youth Orchestra played a combination of popular and patriotic songs. The ensemble included a cello, three violins, and a viola, and the  beautifully performed music set the tone for the day’s speakers and performers.

Davidson Mayor, Rusty Knox, welcomed everyone to the day’s event and read aloud the Proclamation for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day that had been adopted at the January 13, 2026, Board of Commissioners meeting. The proclamation encouraged citizens to celebrate the day “with appropriate civic, community and service projects in honor of Dr. King.”

Rev. Dr. Peter Henry (News of Davidson photo)

The Reverend Dr. Peter Henry of Davidson College Presbyterian Church delivered the opening invocation/meditation. Henry gave thanks for the prophets who looked at our world and saw it not only for what it was, but also for what it could be. He asked that we “would be strengthened to see the vulnerable, and the voiceless, and the marginalized, and the places where violence still reigns,” and that we would be called “to speak, and to act, and to love.

“Do not let us hate, but instead illuminate this world with the vision for what could be; for hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that,” said Henry, referencing King’s memorable words on loving our enemies.

Loria Houston (News of Davidson photo)

Loria Houston, local gospel legend and one of the descendants of those whose labor built Davidson, sang a soulful rendition of  "Precious Lord.”

The master of ceremonies for the event was Daniel Heath, JD, Associate Chaplain and Director of the Davidson Forum at Davidson College. Heath also noted that as of January 5, he is the Director of Descendant Community Outreach. It was an announcement that garnered additional applause from the audience.

Rev. Daniel Heath (News of Davidson photo)

Heath issued a welcome to the audience and invited everyone to a reception following the ceremony sponsored by Davidson College. He also encouraged the community to continue their commemoration of MLK, Jr. day by visiting the Oak Row Exhibition at Davidson College campus, across from the With These Hands memorial sculpture. He said that Dr. Hilary Green, James B. Duke Professor of Africana Studies, would be present at the exhibition to offer her insights to visitors.

Faith Leanne Moore, Davidson native and granddaughter of Davidson’s first black police officer, Terry Springs, shared her insights about growing up as part of the community. Faith said that she stood in the very spot “where the roots run deep even when the world refused to see them. A town where black stories weren’t written on plaques or carved in stone. They were carved in people, and in the hands that built, and the feet that marched, and the doors that opened because someone dared to knock.”

Moore has been inspired to thrive in Davidson, the town where her “grandfather used to walk these same streets as the first black police officer. Where he sat in an integrated classroom, label first, carrying the weight of being the only one, and the responsibility of being the first of many.”

Members of the Mount Olive Baptist Church Liturgical Dance Ministry (News of Davidson photo)

And now, said Moore, “his granddaughter stands here as a first-generation college student. A woman who earned her bachelor's degree and her master’s degree through the same non-violent determination that Dr. King breathed into this world.” She reminded the crowd that King’s mission is possible when we “choose courage over comfort, conversation over chaos, and community over division.” This town is a reminder, she said, that “progress is not an accident. It is a calling, a legacy, and a responsibility.”

Daniel Heath introduced the Mount Olive Liturgical Dance Ministry, who performed a moving interpretive dance set to the song “Glory.”

Next, Gerald Carr, a successful football coach and regional building contractor, shared remembrances of his growing up years in the town. A Davidson native, Carr played football at North Mecklenburg, the first class after integration. He attended Southern Illinois University on a full scholarship and played quarterback. After graduating, Carr could have continued playing football as a free agent, but he decided to come back home and coach football at North Meck, beginning a successful coaching career that spanned the years 1981–2012. Carr coached at the high school, college, and professional level.

Guest Speaker Gerald Carr (News of Davidson photo)

Carr spoke of the people at the college and town who were supportive of “little black boys and little white boys, little black girls and little white girls holding hands” when the Davidson Elementary School was integrated. He gave special credit to Wayne Roberts, the principal of Davidson Elementary at the time, who made sure that all children were welcome in those important halls of learning. Carr remembers how Mr. Roberts listened to the voices of parents, students, and teachers so that the integration of the school was seamless and joyful.

He quoted a phrase that he believes and follows, “If you're too large to serve, you're too small to lead.”

Carr went on to mention other important Davidsonians who supported justice for all: among them, John Kuykendall, President of Davidson College, and David Fagg, its football coach, as well as Mayor Russell Knox, who wanted his town to be open to all. Carr remembers that Knox, a banker and realtor, worked to change policies so that bank loans were available to people who lived in every part of the town, so that all people could prosper in Davidson.

Carr remembered his mother, Evelyn Carr, recipient of the G. Jackson Burney Community Service Award, who dressed her children for school with trembling hands that first day of integration. She wiped away her tears as she instructed them to be good and to hold their heads up high. He concluded his remarks by leading those assembled in an emotional rendition of “Lean on Me.”

Keynote Speaker Rev. Aurrita Payne (News of Davidson photo)

The Keynote Speaker was the Reverend Aurrita Payne, pastor of St. John AME Zion Church and President & CEO of Unity in Community - North Meck. She is also the state lead for Repairers of the Breach, as well as the Community Connections Coordinator at the Ada Jenkins Center. Her work focuses on strengthening community partnerships and empowering families across North Mecklenburg. She identifies herself as a “bridge builder.” She is committed to restoring hope and giving voice to those who are the voiceless of marginalized communities.

Payne talked about the inequities that still need to be addressed in our society, both locally and nationally, such as the lack of affordable housing, food insecurity, healthcare costs, and attacks on human dignity. She encouraged those present to “show up…to bring your courage to this work.”

Payne shared the memorable idea that “Justice requires proximity.” She advised the audience not to be shy, but to show up with courage: “show up to vote, show up to protest, show up to march.”

“Freedom is not individual; it is collective,” said Payne.

Two beloved spirituals were sung in unison by the crowd: “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and “We Shall Overcome.” Both songs were led a cappella by Davidson College students and members of the highly selective Davidson College Chorale, Akeelah Romeo (‘28) and Vi Nguyen (‘28).

Akeelah Romeo (‘28) and Vi Nguyen (‘28) (News of Davidson photo)

.A prayer of unification was offered by the Reverend Dr. Mark Curtis of the Inclusion Community in Cornelius. A benediction prayer for peace was offered by the Reverend Dr. William McKenith of Reeves Temple AME Zion Church in Davidson.

The printed program for the event issued the town’s heartfelt thanks to the 2026 MLK Planning Committee Members: Tracy Mattison Brandon, Malcolm Cook, Christina Eggenberger, Aurrita Payne, Daisy Raeford, Preston Wasson, and Elizabeth “Lib” Wilson.

After the ceremony, the News of Davidson team received quotes from some of those in attendance. Kathy White said, “MLK has been a hero for us since the 1960s.  This is the closest we have come to feeling the horror of what has happened to our country.  We are here to honor a man who stood for peace and love for all.”

Rev. Dr. Mark Curtis (News of Davidson photo)

Pamela Bandy and Dennis Williams echoed those sentiments, “With the temperature of the climate in our society today, today is a day that we reflect on.  Despite how far we have come, there's still much more to accomplish.  So as a reminder, today is a day of celebration of a man who sacrificed his life for the betterment of humanity.”

“We come every year because it's important to honor peace, diversity, and inclusion. All of us need to live the way MLK did,” from Sophia Spach.

Rev. Dr. William McKenith (News of Davidson photo)

The Reverend Dr. Charles Raynal said, “In our time of divided politics, we need beloved community, civil citizens, and hope for a better future.”

“MLK was a hero.” said Alice Sudduth. “I'm sure there are heroes today, but they are not as visible yet. I am here to honor MLK who was a hero in his life and in his death.”

Cathy Tatum stated, “MLK's message is so relevant today, and we can't forget it. We have to keep his message alive.”

Art Gooray spoke for many when he said, “The love and kindness MLK showed everyone is what we need today.”

Citizen voices were strong and supportive and hopeful at this important event.

The late Coach Dave Fagg’s favorite celebratory phrase, “It’s a Great Day to Be a Davidsonian,” was appropriate for this day. In the ceremonial gathering, participants were reminded by the speakers and performers that we are in this together, that justice requires proximity, that everyone must be free for anyone to be free, and that the people of Davidson must follow the way of courage.

Editor's Note: Please see the News of Davidson photo and video album from the ceremony. Additionally, it was livestreamed on the News of Davidson Facebook page and will be available to view in its entirety until February 20.