Muskogee native Clayton to be honored with street renaming and as gala keynote speaker The Martin Luther King

Community Center, a Muskogee staple for almost 40 years, presents the 2014 Martin Luther King Community Center Gala. The gala will be at 7 p.m., Jan. 17, 2014 at the Muskogee Civic Center, with a VIP reception beginning at 6 p.m. for gala sponsors. The 2014 Martin Luther King Community Center Gala is an inaugural fundraising event for the new building fund, with primary funding coming from corporate sponsors. The MLK Community Center has played a valuable role in the community, serving civic organizations, youth programs as well as educational and cultural programs. For years the center has inspired local youth through its sponsor support and leadership. The new MLK Community Center will be approximately 18,000 sq. ft. and will meet the needs of the community, as determined by the citizens of Muskogee. Six community focus groups gathered input from program participants of the current facility as well as other community leaders, business owners, clergy and Muskogee residents. The estimated cost, including all construction, site work and architect fees, is $4 million. Currently, the MLK Center after-school program serves 63 children daily. The new facility will accommodate 150. Additionally the facility is host to many organizations, including Muskogee NAACP Chapter, the Muskogee Christian Ministers Union, the Muskogee Democratic Party, Boy Scout and Girl Scout Troops. The event will feature keynote speaker Xernona Clayton, a prominent African-American civil rights leader. As part of the ceremonies a street will be named in Claytons honor. North Third Street from Martin Luther King Street north to Girard Street will be changed to Xernona Clayton Way. The dedication ceremony will be at noon, Jan. 17 at the MLK Community Center located at 627 N Third Street, Muskogee, OK. Following the ceremony will be a light lunch where attendees may visit with Clayton and guests. Clayton, a Muskogee Native, is the founder, president and CEO of the Trumpet Awards Foundation, Inc., and creator and executive producer of the Foundations Trumpet Awards, a prestigious event highlighting African-American accomplishments and contributions. Xernona worked with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and worked closely with the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. She was also featured in The Peaceful Warrior, a biography of King, authored by her late husband Ed Clayton. Xernona Clayton co-authored revised editions. Clayton has received numerous media awards for her contributions to humanity, including the National Association of Minorities in Cables highest award, the Mickey Leland Award, which honors individuals and organizations in the communication industry that demonstrate commitment to the advancement of concerns of people of color. She was the first African-American person to have her own television show and became the first African-American female corporate executive for Turner Broadcasting. Clayton has confirmed many guests will be joining her for the Gala, including friends Chris Tucker and Richard Roundtree. Tucker is an actor and comedian, best known for his role as Detective James Carter in the Rush Hour film series. Tucker was a frequent stand up performer on HBOs Def Comedy Jam, gaining greater recognition in the 1995 film Friday. He is also a humanitarian who spends much of his time traveling and working with his foundation, the Chris Tucker Foundation.

Roundtree is an actor and former fashion model, best known for his portrayal of Private Detective John Shaft. Roundtree has also become a spokesman for breast cancer awareness after he was diagnosed with a rare form of male breast cancer in 1993. The gala will be at 7 p.m., Jan. 17, 2014 at the Muskogee Civic Center, with a VIP reception beginning at 6 p.m. for gala sponsors. Proceeds from the gala will benefit the new building fund.