Rayne MLK Celebration speakers noted, schedule announced

RAYNE - Plans have been finalized for the 2019 Annual City-Wide Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Program to be held Monday, Jan. 21, in honor of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
This year’s celebration again will be held at both The Depot Square and Rayne Civic Center hosted by the National Association of University Women assisted by committee members and the City of Rayne.
Every year during the month of January, the city of Rayne celebrates the life of the civil rights movement leader by recognizing education, positive achievements and the legacy of Dr. King.
Theme for the 2019 program is “Revitalizing the Dream: Working Together in Unity Through Education and Justice.” (#Rayneraisethebar)
The day will begin at The Depot Square at 8:30 a.m. with a short program; afterwhich, participants will march to the Rayne Civic Center where the main program will begin at 11 a.m.
The march is a remembrance of the past which has given strength and hope for the future.
A panel of guest speakers for the program will include Michelle Malone, Brian Mouton, Terrence Senegal and Sgt. Major Denise Underwood.
Michelle Harmon-Malone is a native of Rayne and a resident of Maryland where she lives with her husband Marlon. Michelle is a school principal, a women’s success coach, and a veteran of the United States Air Force.
Malone enjoys working with women and teenage girls as a facilitator of change in their lives, their communities and this world, while has also served in various leadership roles throughout the nation and continues to use her talents, abilities and gifts to spread the Gospel. She is a speaker, a blogger, and an author.
Malone is the owner and operator of Better Twogether, LLC -- a Christian Coaching business that focuses on growing leaders, building relationships, and leaving a legacy that impacts eternity.
Brian Seth Mouton grew up in the Frog Capitol of World, Rayne, where he graduated from Rayne High School and then attended the University of New Orleans where he obtained his bachelor degree in business administration and a minor in management. Currently, he is the Senior Division Manager for RAI Trade Marketing Services and President/CEO of BSM Investments LLC.
Mouton, son of Ms. Shirley Mouton and the late Eddie Young Sr. of Rayne, has passion for the City of Rayne and compassion for people like no other as he not only contributes to the young people of Rayne through organizations and/or athletic work, but also assists citizens throughout Acadiana by fundraising and organizing relief efforts for all in need.
Terrence Jamal Senegal is the youngest child of three born to Nolton Joseph Senegal and Patricia Dianne Frank-Senegal of Rayne. He is a product of the Rayne community, Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church, a 1999 graduate of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School and a 2003 graduate of Comeaux High School in Lafayette. In 2007 he successfully obtained his bachelor of science in the field of psychology from Southern University, Baton Rouge and then attended Southern University Law Center and in 2012 he received his Juris Doctorate.
In addition to the many community, church and chariable work of which he was awarded, Senegal most recently and currently served in the roll of Clerk for the Chief Judge of the 16th JDC, re-establishing and promoting his entrepreneurial businesses while keeping to the forefront his faithful and volunteering spirit.
Sergeant Major Denise A. Underwood is a proud Rayne native. She enlisted in the military in 1988 and throughout her military career, and has served in various assignments throughout the world while decorated with many awards and honors.
Her civilian education includes a paralegal certificate from Southern Technical College, a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Troy University, and a master’s degree in leadership studies from the University of Texas at El Paso.
She and her husband Jerry presently reside at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where they are the proud parents of six wonderful children and three grandchildren.
A wellness program will again be available at the Civic Center during the morning and entertainment will be provided by local youth, schools, churches and organizations. Lunch will be served following the program.
In the event of inclement weather, all activities will be held at the Civic Center.
Every January, the MLK Committee works with the City of Rayne to celebrate this special occasion with the community to recognize education, positive achievements, and the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
With recent problems regarding cultural differences among people throughout the United States and globally, this local event will help to enhance the message of unity for all.
Any questions can be addressed to a MLK facilitators, Hilda Wiltz, Bethalun Bernard, Dianne Granger or Laura Levy.