U.S. Embassy London Commemorates Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

15 January 2010

Ambassador Susman and James Earl Jones at the reception at Winfield House

Maria Fidelis Convent School Gospel choir, led by Karen Gibson alongside jazz trumpeter Abram Wilson and quartet

The United States Embassy will commemorate the life and work of civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through two events honoring his legacy on Monday, January 18, 2010.  In the morning U.S. Ambassador Louis Susman and embassy staff will participate in a volunteer event at St. Matthias Church in Poplar and in the afternoon Ambassador Susman will host prominent civil rights activists and students for a memorial concert and reading at his residence. 

The Ambassador and U.S. Embassy staff will help refurbish St. Matthias Church in Poplar. The volunteer work will take place in collaboration with the Winant Clayton Volunteers (WCV) and Neighbors in Poplar (NIP).  WCV is a U.S.-UK volunteer exchange program co-founded in 1948 by then U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom, John Winant.  NIP is a charity serving disadvantaged groups and is still run 40 years later by its founder, Sister Christine Frost.  Volunteers will spend time painting, gardening and performing general upkeep for the facility which serves as a community center for the surrounding neighborhood. 

In the afternoon, Ambassador Susman will host a program at Winfield House in remembrance of Dr. King’s contributions to advancing human rights.  The event will feature a recitation of excerpts from Dr. King’s speeches by Tony Award-winning actor James Earl Jones, currently starring in the West End production “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.”  Entertainment will be provided by the Maria Fidelis Convent School Gospel Choir, led by Karen Gibson.  The choir will perform a gospel and spiritual tribute along with New Orleans-native jazz trumpeter Abram Wilson and his quartet.  One of Wilson’s compositions entitled We Thank You, was previously performed in 2008 at a public ceremony in the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre followed by guest speaker Martin Luther King III, son of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Attendees will include prominent Britons engaged in civil rights work, members of Parliament, the principal cast of “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” as well as students from the Bernie Grant Arts Centre. The event will pay tribute to Dr. King’s efforts to end racial discrimination and promote civil rights as well as acknowledge the continued resonance of his philosophy on present day civic activism.