In 2014, the NAACP celebrates 50 years in the state of Maine. The NAACP Portland Branch is joining the Center for African Heritage, City of Portland, Goodwill Industries of Northern New England, Homeless Voices for Justice/Preble Street, The Opportunity Alliance, Portland Housing Authority, Portland Public Schools, and University of New England in celebrating the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday with three annual events.

The Annual Music & Gospel Concert will take place at Merrill Auditorium on Friday, January 17th from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. Tickets are available at PortTix.

An Annual Community Dialogue will take place at University of New England on Saturday, January 18th from 1:00 to 4:00 PM. This year’s topis will be The Silence of Inequity: Hunger, Health and Education. This event is free and open to the public.

The 33rd annual Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Breakfast Celebration will take place on Monday, January 20th from 8:00 to 11:00 AM at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland. This year’s keynote speaker is William S. Cohen, former U.S. Secretary of Defense and U.S. Senator. Tickets are available through Brown Paper Tickets.