MLK Celebration

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27th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration

This celebration is a significant and symbolic event in the East Stroudsburg Community as it is the largest program in the area honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

MLK Registration

Artist Reception

Join us for an artist reception to view the work of the Julianna V. Bolt Art Content Participants.

Monday, January 15, 2024
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Madelon Powers Gallery

ESU's fine and Performing arts Center, Normal and Marguerite Streets, East Stroudsburg, Pa.

This celebration is a significant and symbolic event in the East Stroudsburg Community as it is the largest program in the area honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Through the years, the program has expanded in size unifying over 400 people from the community on MLK’s Day of Observance.

The program itself has transformed to include components such as the MLK Award, the Julianna V. Bolt Art Contest in which students from all high schools within Monroe County are encouraged to participate and all entries will be displayed at the event, a keynote speaker, musical performances, the Boddie Scholarship Award, and ESU’s official Day of Service in honor Dr. King.

Since its inception, 49 Mary Gertrude Smith Boddie Scholarships have been awarded to ESU students and a total of 70 MLK community and university awards have been presented.

This is will be an event you don’t want to miss!

This year's celebration will be held Monday, January 15, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. This year’s breakfast will be held at Terraview at Stroudsmoor Country Inn, 257 Stroudsmoor Rd, Stroudsburg, Pa. 18360. The theme of this year’s breakfast is "Darkness Cannot Drive Out Darkness, Only Light Can Do That. Hate Cannot Drive Out Hate, Only Love Can Do That.”

MLK Registration

Artist Reception

Join us for an artist reception to view the work of the Julianna V. Bolt Art Content Participants.

Monday, January 15, 2024
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Madelon Powers Gallery

ESU's fine and Performing arts Center, Normal and Marguerite Streets, East Stroudsburg, Pa.

Through the years, the program has expanded in size unifying over 400 people from the community on MLK’s Day of Observance.

Since its inception, 49 Mary Gertrude Smith Boddie Scholarships have been awarded to ESU students and a total of 70 MLK community and university awards have been presented.

This is will be an event you don’t want to miss!

Keynote Speaker Pastor Sherrise Hooks

pastor sherrise hooks Pastor Sherrise C. Cohen- Hooks is the Pastor and founder of Reclaimed for Christ Ministries and The Apostle of The Church of A.C.T.S : From Word to Life and Believers to Kingdom Association in Stroudsburg, PA. Pastor Hooks has been called to reclaim the lost, the broken, the unlearned, the misfits, the misunderstood, and the forgotten. She truly has a passion for the underdogs, never willing to leave anyone behind that is willing to move forward. Pastor Hooks has been anointed to activate the purpose, the gift, and the calling inside of those that have been assigned to her and position them to be sent out to do God’s will. She is a woman who endeavors to win lost souls for Christ by the Word not for self-gain or by manipulation but by love.

After being ordained in 1998, she took heed to step out to start fulfilling her call, to minister by preparing for what God had gifted her to do. Her past ministerial experiences included, servicing the community in various ways, and serving in whatever capacity was needed in the house of God regardless of her title. While leading RFCM she has helped to establish twelve businesses including her very own consulting company. She hosts her own online radio show titled Elevated Thinking where she promoted a platform for artists that aren’t mainstream but fully anointed. She is also an advisor for many leaders in ministry across several states, as a productivity and transformational strategist. She endeavors to establish a reformation house to aid those that are gifted to pursue their God breathe destiny. Pastor Hooks loves preaching, teaching, and expounding on the word of God. She knows praise and worship is a part of her gift that’s essential, and a prerequisite to prepare the heart and mind for what God has in store. Because of her heart for God, and his people she feels it is important to connect them to His presence unhindered for deliverance, healing, and strength.

She attended Liberty University by way of Distance Learning, where she majored in Psychology with a minor in Theology. She also attended Beth Rapha Bible College as a Divinity major during her formal education. Out of all her formal learning there is nothing that can replace the spiritual impartation she has received from the Lord. Pastor Hooks declares that it is a wonderful thing to be taught of the Lord and lead by His Holy Spirit with the wisdom of God. (1Corinthians 1:18-31) Formal training is wonderful, but it didn’t or doesn’t confirm that God has actually called her to this position.She desires to see families restored and healed, and to empower the people of God to exercise their God given gifts. She desires to see God glorified in all things, because she just delivers the message but God is the one with the power to save. The point of that statement is that she carries the vision; but the focus is on the visionary which is Christ. In order to function as an efficient leader, you have to know the spirit by the spirit, by knowing those who labor among you. In conclusion, her greatest task outside of soul winning is not to be counted as a public success and then be a private failure.God has blessed her with a husband of 27 years with three sons from that union. Two who are musicians and one that is a professional celebrity Chef and intercessor in the ministry. She also has a host of extended children by way of nieces, heart children, and Godchildren who are actively serving in the ministry. Her care of her family is what she feels qualifies her to be a productive leader. She is a firm believer that if she can’t maintain her first congregation, which is her family, how is she going to maintain her next congregation the church. Pastor Hooks continues to stay teachable, humble, anointed, obedient, and giving God all the glory for her accomplishments is her hearts prayer.

She desires to see families restored and healed, and to empower the people of God to exercise their God given gifts. She desires to see God glorified in all things, because she just delivers the message but God is the one with the power to save. The point of that statement is that she carries the vision; but the focus is on the visionary which is Christ. In order to function as an efficient leader, you have to know the spirit by the spirit, by knowing those who labor among you. In conclusion, her greatest task outside of soul winning is not to be counted as a public success and then be a private failure.

God has blessed her with a husband of 27 years with three sons from that union. Two who are musicians and one that is a professional celebrity Chef and intercessor in the ministry. She also has a host of extended children by way of nieces, heart children, and Godchildren who are actively serving in the ministry. Her care of her family is what she feels qualifies her to be a productive leader. She is a firm believer that if she can’t maintain her first congregation, which is her family, how is she going to maintain her next congregation the church. Pastor Hooks continues to stay teachable, humble, anointed, obedient, and giving God all the glory for her accomplishments is her hearts prayer.

For assistance or special accommodations, please contact lfleming@esu.edu or (570) 422-3896. Accommodations may include, but are not limited to, services for physical, cognitive, visual or auditory assistance.

Please contact the Office of Campus Life and Inclusive Excellence with any questions about our programs throughout the year.

Contact Information

Campus Address: Reibman Administration Building
Phone:: (570) 422-3463
Fax:: (570) 422-3410 (Fax)

Title of Department Leader: Assistant Vice President for Inclusive Excellence
Name
Phone:: (570) 422-3463

MLK Celebration

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