HOPE – A discussion Thursday evening at Yerger Middle School by local education, church, civic, student and other leaders will focus on their perspectives about the importance of the “I Have a Dream” speech by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the historic March on Washington in 1963.

The program will include an historical perspective presented by the National Parks Service reflecting Dr. King’s participation in a program with an historic array of civil rights leaders, and little-known facts about the event.

The panel discussion will be moderated by Eighth Judicial District-North Circuit Judge Randy Wright.

Panelists will include Davionna Perkins, Hope High School student; Rev. Jessie Henry, Charity Missionary Baptist Church in Fulton; Sheila Hopson, Hope High School business teacher; Kayla Jones, Hope High School career coach; Floyd Young, former mayor – City of Hope, and retired HHS counselor; Dennis Ramsey, former mayor – City of Hope; Dr. Linda Clark, Hope Public Schools social services coordinator; Tarona Armstrong, superintendent, President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace National Historic Site; and, Mike Simpson, training specialist, National Parks Service.

Sponsored by the Hope Public Schools during Black History Month, the event is open to the public and will begin at 6 p.m. in the YMS cafeteria.