Naomi Tutu set to speak at MLK event at Cleveland State Community College

photo File Staff Photo by Tim Barber -- Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu gives a prayer during an appearance at the Chattanooga Convention Center in the late 1990s.

IF YOU GO* What: Martin Luther King Day event, Nontombi Naomi Tutu keynote speaker* When: 6 p.m. Jan. 7, 5 p.m. book signing.* Where: George R. Johnson Cultural Heritage Center at Cleveland State Community College, Cleveland, Tenn.* Cost: Free* Reservations: www.clevelandstatecc.edu.

CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- A commemorative event honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. will be keynoted this year by Nontombi Naomi Tutu, a daughter of Bishop Desmond Tutu.

The event, set for Cleveland State Community College, is sponsored by the school and the Bradley County NAACP.

Tutu drew a large crowd in March 2010 when she visited Lee University here.

The national MLK commemoration theme for 2012 is "Remember, Celebrate, Act," said Lawrence Armstrong, president of the Bradley NAACP. Tutu's keynote address is "Our Shared Humanity: Creating Understanding Through the Principles of MLK."

"Naomi has such a powerful voice for improving race relations and achieving international peace," said Natalia Williams, coordinator of diversity student programing at Cleveland State. "She continues to advocate for human rights just as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. did."

The program also includes local students who won or took part in an essay contest for grades six through 12 on what King's "I Have a Dream" speech" means to them.

Tutu is the third child of Archbishop Desmond and Nomalizo Leah Tutu. She was born in South Africa and educated in Swaziland, the U.S. and England.

Music will be provided by Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Youth Choir. Eric Foster, morning show host at WJTT-FM Power 94, will be the master of ceremonies.

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