Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Xi Gamma Lambda Chapter of Beaufort, SC presents the 15th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Breakfast to be held at the MCAS Officer’s Club, Air Station, in Beaufort on Saturday, January 9, 2016 at 9:00 a.m.

[caption id="attachment_26948" align="alignright" width="150"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/COMMUNITY-MLK-BFAST-Brother-Dr.-W.-Franklin-Evans-2-e1452228113375.png"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-26948" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/COMMUNITY-MLK-BFAST-Brother-Dr.-W.-Franklin-Evans-2-e1452228113375-150x150.png" alt="W. Franklin Evans, Ph.D." width="150" height="150" /></a> W. Franklin Evans, Ph.D.[/caption]

This event pays tribute to the great works of the Brother Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Baptist Minister and Civil Rights Activist who led the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. It will also pay tribute to three community leaders by recognizing and honoring them for their work in the Beaufort Community. The honorees are Edward Allen, Beaufort County Coroner, Herbert Glaze, C.A.V.E. and Community Activist and Michael Rivers, Beaufort County School Board Member.

Brother Dr. W. Franklin Evans, Ph.D., Interim President of SC State University will be the keynote speaker at the breakfast. Dr. Evans was named interim president of SC State by the Board of Trustees on July 16, 2015. Before assuming leadership of the University, Evans served as interim provost and previously as vice president for Academic Affairs. Evans, who was born in Augusta, Georgia, attended public school in the Jefferson County School System. He graduated from the University of Georgia and Georgia State University earning six degrees in areas ranging from entomology to journalism, middle childhood science to curriculum and instruction, and administration and supervision to higher education administration.

His professional career has included working as a medical entomologist, news reporter, flight attendant, science educator, administrator for middle and high schools, university professor, director, and college dean.

Evans has worked as an adjunct professor at Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University, Tennessee State University, Vanderbilt University and Athens State University. Prior to moving to Orangeburg, S.C., he was employed as vice president for Academic Affairs at Virginia Union University.

Evans has held membership is various organizations such as the NAACP, Black Family Preservation Group, Inc., National Association of Black School Educators, and Partnership for a Drug-free Community, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Toastmasters International and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He has served on the advisory boards of organizations such as the Sickle Cell Association, Boys and Girls Club, Kiwanis Clubs International and the AIDS Action Coalition. Always striving to be a servant leader, he is an active minister with the Church of God in Christ International. He spends his leisurely time traveling, playing tennis, cooking, reading and singing.

The event will include entertainment from Gospel Singer and Gullah Kinfolk member, Mrs. Bessie Bates along with her band. For ticket information see a Brother of the XI Gamma Lambda Chapter or call 843-263-8445 or 843-263-2006.