Haverhill’s Calvary Baptist Church Pays Tribute to Martin Luther King Jr.

In concert with Martin Luther King Jr. Day Monday, the oldest black church in the Merrimack Valley this Saturday offers its third annual celebration of the life and legacy of the slain civil rights leader.Haverhill’s Calvary Baptist Church holds “Sounds of a Movement,” featuring music, history, services and the awarding of the Drum Major for Justice award to Dennis D. Everett Jr. Rev. Kenneth Young of Calvary Baptist Church, who recently appeared on WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast” program, says Everett is being honored for his work in prison reform, youth empowerment and restorative justice.“The award is someone who is doing either social justice work in the community or racial justice working in the community. Trying to uplift people living in the margins. We know that Dennis has work not only in Haverhill but in the Merrimack Valley for some time and we appreciate the work that he has done, and wanted to highlight the things that he’s doing and make sure he knows that someone is appreciative of the work that he’s doing.”Young notes the afternoon program involves singers Christina DeVaughn, who has a master’s in opera performance from the Boston Conservatory, gospel singer Kylisha Farris and actress Remani Lazana.“One thing you’re going to hear about is Mahalia Jackson—someone who not only he collaborated with, but she collaborated with him. When you hear ‘I have a dream,’ speech she’s the one you hear in the background who yells out to him ‘tell them about the dream,’ and then he starts the repetition of ‘I have a dream today.’ So, we want to highlight her in the songs they were singing and those who were participating, whether they were younger or were older. That’s the theme for this year,” he adds.“Sounds of a Movement” takes place this Saturday, Jan. 18, opening at 2:30 p.m. and program at 3, at Calvary Baptist Church, at 13 Ashland St., Haverhill.An offering will take place with proceeds going to the Church’s scholarship fund and outreach program.Support the show