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The 2013 theme of the Martin Luther King State Celebration is “Women Who Dare to Dream.” In keeping with this theme, the Hazelwood Community Enrichment Commission is featuring prominent African-American women who have made significant contributions in the fields of medicine and music for its 11th Annual Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The event is scheduled for Sunday, Jan.  20, at Civic Center East, 8969 Dunn Road, starting at 7 p.m.

The keynote speaker is Brenda Battle, a native of St. Louis who is a registered nurse and an MBA recipient. She grew up as the daughter of a pastor with 11 other brothers and sisters. The St. Louis Business Journal named Battle “Most Influential Minority Leader” in 2008.  In addition to serving on the board of the Missouri Foundation for Health, she once directed the Center for Diversity and Cultural Competence at Barnes-Jewish Hospital St. Louis. Another African-American woman, Jeanne Trevor, will be providing the entertainment.  Although she was born in New York, Trevor has been a long-time St. Louis resident.  Known to many as the “First Lady of Jazz,” she has performed in numerous musical theater productions at The Muny, Stages, the Black Repertory Theater, and Westport Theater. in a commercial spot announcement.

Other guest speakers include Charles Gooden, a representative of the Missouri State Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration Commission, and Christopher Cross, an 8th grade student at Hazelwood Central Middle School.  In addition to being a member of the Hazelwood School District’s SAIL program, which is the gifted education program for middle school students, Cross performed as Billy Ray, Jr., in the 2012 Black Repertory production of On Golden Pond. He will be presenting excerpts from Dr. King’s last public speech.

The Liturgical Dancers from Antioch Baptist Church will be returning this year for another uplifting performance under the direction of Alba Brady-Florence. Also, Reverend F. Delano R. Benson, Jr., Ph.D., of Antioch Baptist Church will be leading the candlelight ceremony held in memory of Dr. King’s legacy.  Refreshments will be served in the foyer after the service.