Hosted by Morristown’s Task Force on Diversity
Sponsored also by the Citizen Tribune and Hamblen County Department of Education

When: Monday, January 21, 2019 from 7 AM – 9 AM
Where: First United Methodist Church,101 East 1st North Street, Morristown, Tennessee 37814

Morristown’s Task Force on Diversity will celebrate its 10th anniversary at the Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Breakfast being held on Monday, January 21, 2019 at First United Methodist Church in Morristown. 

This annual breakfast provides Hamblen County and surrounding areas an opportunity to remember and honor the life and legacy of Dr. King. The Keynote Speaker this year is Clara Ester, an eye witness to the assassination of Dr. King in Memphis, Tennessee.


Clara Ester was a young woman on that fateful day in April,1968. Clara heard a noise and when she turned, she saw Dr. King fall. Instinctively, she rushed forward.

In a lecture to the Chautauqua Society on August 15, 2018, Ms. Ester, a retired deaconess of the United Methodist Church, spoke eloquently about the lessons of that day and how it has inspired a lifetime of work.

–The Chautauquan Daily, August 16, 2018

Students in Hamblen County have participated in the annual essay contest sponsored by the Citizen Tribune. Winners of the essay contest in four categories will receive awards at the breakfast. Three Community Awards will be also be presented:
the 2019 Community Award in Community Building
the 2019 Community Award for Advancing Cultural Awareness
the 2019 Community Award for Service and Advocacy.

Descriptions of these awards may be found on the MTFD website at www. morristown-diversity.org.

Breakfast is being catered by Little City Catering/Jersey Girl. The breakfast buffet opens at 7am. The program begins promptly at 7:30am. Tickets are $20 per adult; $10 per student and $10 per Veteran. 

Tickets may be purchased in advance by calling Walters State Community College at 423-585-6806 or by calling the Rose Center at 423-581-4330. If available, tickets may also be purchased at the door.

The Morristown Task Force on Diversity cordially invites residents of the Lakeway area to a Community Celebration of the continuing influence and legacy of the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, January 18, 2016.

The Breakfast and Celebration will be held at First Presbyterian Church Family Life Center, 600 W Main Street, Morristown, Tennessee. (Directions to the church)

Doors open at 7am with the buffet breakfast catered by Jersey Girl. See Ticket Information below.

The program begins at 7:30 am and includes music, a keynote address and awards honoring members of our community who reflect the ongoing work of Dr. King. There will be two community awards given:

• The 2016 MLK Award for Advancing Cultural Awareness
• The 2016 Martin Luther King Jr Award for Service and Advocacy

In addition, Morristown Task Force on Diversity, Hamblen County Schools and the local newspaper, The Citizen-Tribune, are co-sponsoring the annual essay contest.  Winners in four categories will be presented their awards at the breakfast.  Detailed information about the essay contest can be found on the drop-down menu under 2016 Essay Contest.

The program will conclude by 9am in order to allow those who attend and who wish to participate in the Annual March in Dandridge to take part in that event.

TICKET INFORMATION:  Tickets for adults are $15. Student tickets are $10. Tickets for Veterans are $10. One only need to show one’s card at the door.

To Pick Up in Person: Tickets are available at Rose Center, at the office of the Citizen-Tribune or from members of the Task Force.

To Reserve Tickets and Pick Up at the door:  Tickets may also be reserved and picked up at the door by going to the menu tab “Contact Us” and send us a reservation request. The deadline for reservations is January 11, 2016.

To Communicate with Someone in Person: If you have questions and wish to speak with someone from the group, click the tab marked Mailing Address and Phone Numbers just below the Contact Us tab. There you will find several avenues for making personal contact.

The 2014 MLK Community Breakfast and Celebration was held at First Presbyterian Church on Monday, January 20, 2014.

The Keynote Speaker was the Rev. Wayne Purcell.

Rev. Wayne and Andrea Purcell

The Rev. Wayne Purcell is well-known to the Morristown and Asheville, North Carolina communities, where he has served congregations, hospitals and communities as pastor, teacher, counselor and community builder. Since 1987, he has been pastor of Varick Chapel AME Zion Church in Asheville.

 He writes, “I have spent a lifetime of ministerial skills helping to improve society while reinforcing the work of the Lord.”

Rev. Purcell teaches, trains and supervises clergy, nurses, medical support staff, social workers and volunteers at facilities in Black Mountain and Asheville. He is a lecturer on the subject of diversity and empathy within ministry and is a guest columnist for the Asheville Citizen Times. Earlier this year, he was a keynote speaker at the Martin Luther King walk in Dandridge.

Rev. Purcell’s past includes serving as an Administrator within the Blue Ridge Conference of the Piedmont Episcopal District and overseeing two half-way houses for men and women in transition. He has been a resource to his community offering educational programming, workshops and consultation to promote small businesses in Western North Carolina. He is a leader in interfaith, civic, and educational events.

However, Rev. Purcell is not only found in directive capacities. He is a “hands on” counselor to individuals and their families, in both church and hospital settings. All of his skills are present and available to someone who needs a hand up. He conducts regular visitations to homes, hospitals and prisons to provide comfort and support, especially for seniors and elderly.

Rev. Purcell received his Master of Divinity from Hood Theological Seminary in Salisbury, NC. His business degree in Administration and Marketing Management is from North Carolina Central University. He is married to Andrea who is herself, a leader in church and community. We welcome them both to this event.