The Burke County branch of the NAACP has invited Dr. William Merritt to speak Saturday at its annual Martin Luther King Jr. banquet.
Treasurer Deloris McDowell said the organization celebrates King's birthday each year with a motivational speaker.
Merritt is the president of the North Carolina chapter of National Action Network, a civil rights organization headed by the Rev. Al Sharpton.
As an advisor to Caldwell County citizens, Merritt helped organize Citizens for Justice, a non-profit organization focussed on reducing the number of minority youths involved in crime. Emphasis is placed on parental responsibility and involvement in their children's lives.
Crime- and drug-prevention programs are at the heart of Merritt's accomplishments.
After receiving his doctorate degree from Burns University, Merritt began his career as drug prevention coordinator for Virginia Gov. Douglas L. Wilder.
Merritt's research as a professor at Shaw University spawned several re-entry programs including Project Complete and Resurrection Project for ex-offenders.
The local celebration of King's birthday continues at 4 p.m. Sunday with a gospel songfest and worship service in Shiloh A.M.E. Church, 1323 N. Powerhouse Road.
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