Seventy-five years ago at First African Baptist Church in Dublin GA, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his first public speech. On April 17, 1944, the Colored Elks Club of Georgia held their state convention at First African Baptist Church and sponsored an essay contest. Here, a young Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered a speech entitled “The Negro and The Constitution” which depicted his yearning for true equality for the people of his race. This speech led to the spark of what is now known as the Civil Rights Movement.
Today, Martin Luther King, Jr. Monument Park in Downtown Dublin stands in honor of the speech that was delivered so many years ago and serves to inspire current and future generations. The park features several unique displays that help illustrate the journey of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement. The First African Baptist Church Photomural gives a glimpse as to what the church looked like on the day of the infamous speech while A Vision for the Future, a mural by Corey Barksdale, uses bold colors to motivate new generations to strive for a peaceful future. While you are visiting the park, you will also have the option to listen to an audio tour that brings four different stories and the Civil Rights Movement to life.
For more information about the First African Baptist Church and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Monument Park, please visit https://www.firstafricanbaptistdublinga.com/