The Charleston Job Corps Center (CJCC) operated by Horizons Youth Services (HYS), hosted a center wide Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration on Friday, January 20, 2017 at 2:30 p.m. in the center gymnasium. The Recreation Department sponsored the program under the direction of James Carter, Leisure Time Learning Coordinator.

Tia Welch, Business Community Liaison served as the moderator. The Occasion was read by students Aquela Frison and Aquelay Frison, Student Government Association followed by a poetry reading from Israel Higgins, Modern Man Club. The following CJCC Staff gave reflections: Tanika Beverly, Academics Manager, Jamela Brown, Career Counselor and Frances Shearin, Career Counselor. All staff encouraged students to stay focused and live the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Center Director, Willie Brown, provided closing remarks by reading an excerpt from Dr. King’s speech, “I’ve been to the Mountaintop” (April 3, 1968) delivered a day before King’s assassination. Mr. Brown encouraged students to stay focused and finish their career technical trade for future success. CJCC Panther Pride Ensemble provided musical entertainment with vocalist Tierah Williams, Recreation Advisor accompanied by pianist James Carter.

Job Corps is a no-cost education and career technical training program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor that helps young people ages 16-24 improve the quality of their lives through career technical and academic training. Job Corps is in 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The Charleston Job Corps Center is overseen by the Philadelphia Regional Office of Job Corps and is operated by Horizons Youth Services.

Group Photo: Aquelay Frison, Tanika Beverly, Frances Shearin, Willie Brown, Jamela Brown, Aquila Frison and James Carter