The life and legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. will be celebrated this weekend and will continue into Monday throughout the community.

The Friends of Lincoln School Inc. will kick off the celebrations with a caravan that will leave from the Middlesboro City Parking Lot at 2 p.m. Sunday.

School officials are asking all ministers, veterans, soldiers and government leaders to join the celebration. They are also asking for motor vehicles to join in on the caravan and for those who may need a ride, a van will be available for transportation.

The purpose of the caravan is to push for justice, and they hope the community will join in the event as well as the Thankful Baptist Church service at 3 p.m.

A message will be given and music will be provided by a variety of singers.

Those in attendance will get to participate in a special presentation of the Samuel Coleman Sr. Award.

Lincoln Memorial University will be hosting a program along with Friends of Lincoln School honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., at 3 p.m., Monday in the Sam and Sue Mars Performing Arts Center of the Duke Hall of Citizenship.

LMU Athletic Director Jasher Cox will deliver the keynote address during the program and LMU-College of Veterinary Medicine Exam Services Specialist Billy Worthy will serve as master of ceremonies.

Cox will reflect on Dr. King’s legacy and discuss issues facing the youth of America today. The program is free and open to the public.

The annual program is presented by the LMU Office of Inclusion and Diversity Engagement along with Friends of Lincoln School, a community organization in Middlesboro. The group centers around the historic Lincoln School which operated as a segregated school in Middlesboro from 1908 to 1965.

Cox joined LMU in November following a term as an assistant athletic director at Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Ala. He has over 18 years of experience in athletic administration. Cox holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication and media studies from Auburn University and earned a Master of Public Administration from Strayer University.

Everyone is welcome to attend the events in honor of the memory of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.