This week, two events in Cumberland County will highlight Martin Luther King, Jr. as a civil rights activist and the relevance of his teachings, which still inspire people today.

The Town of Spring Lake will host a virtual commemorative meeting in honor of King.

The Spring Lake Ministerial Alliance and the Town of Spring Lake came together and developed a plan for a commemorative breakfast. The annual event had to be canceled last year due to COVID-19. In 2020, the breakfast had a turnout of over 75 people.

Zefrim Lewis, Town of Spring Lake Interim Director, hopes people will attend as he feels it is worthwhile.

"Due to COVID numbers surging, the MLK event is now a virtual event there will be no breakfast serving for the public to attend," Lewis said.

Reverend Jeffery Saffold Sr., the pastor at Manna Life Center, will be the key speaker at the event.

The breakfast at Spring Lake will be held virtually on Jan. 14 at 9 a.m. The event is free for the public to attend. The zoom link is https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85238845296.

The 29th Annual MLK Brunch will be held this year at the Crown Complex in Fayetteville. This year's theme is "Still, I Rise." The Fayetteville/Cumberland County Ministerial Council (FCCMC) will highlight and celebrate Historically Black Colleges and Universities and "Education and Humanity through Community Service."

The key speaker at the event will be Fayetteville State University Chancellor Darrell Allison.

Other speakers at the event include FCCMC Vice-President Allen McLaughlin, Morray's EBF Label CEO, Trevonne Carlise, Founder of the Group Theory Youth Extravaganza, Kevin Brooks, and FCCMC President Pastor Sharon Thompson-Journigan.

After the brunch, Group Theory Inc has planned and organized a Youth Extravaganza.

Organizers want to assure young people in Fayetteville that the community cares about them despite the challenging times in their communities, schools and homes.

The event will highlight resources and organizations dedicated to serving and assisting children and teens.

The Youth Extravaganza will highlight art, music and talent from children of all ages. Masks will be required at the brunch, and Centers for Disease Control Guidelines and social distancing will be enforced.

The 29th Annual MLK Brunch and the Youth Extravaganza, which will take place on Jan. 17, will be live-streamed. Tickets to attend the event in person must be purchased in advance and cost $25.

Tickets are available at the Crown Box Office, FSU, Lewis Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, Simon Temple AME Zion, Manna Church, WIDU 1600AM radio station, Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church and New Life Bible Church.