By Loretta Fulton

At least three events will be held Monday, Jan. 20, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Abilene, including cleaning a neighborhood, enjoying baseball and softball camps, and attending the 31st annual Abilene Black Chamber of Commerce dinner. 

Let Us Breathe, a local nonprofit that advocates for empowerment, equality, and justice for the underserved in Abilene, is sponsoring a clean-up day beginning at 9 a.m. Everyone i asked to gather at M. Lena Mae’s Barbershop, 708 N. 6th St. From there, volunteers will head into the historic Carver Community to continue clean-up efforts. 

“The event is more than just picking up trash,” a promotional flier says. “It’s about honoring the resilience, pride, and beauty of our shared history and culture.”

Volunteers are asked to bring gloves, trash bags “and a heart for service as we work together to create a cleaner, brighter community.” 

To volunteer, email info@mysite.com

D-Bat Abilene will host baseball and softball camps 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at their location, 3329 Maple St. The camps are for ages 5-12 and cost $65. “Whether you’re swinging a bat or throwing a pitch, this camp will help you sharpen your skills in both baseball and softball!” according to their website. Click here to register. Or call (325) 232-7578

Kendra Bracken-Ferguson

The annual MLK Jr. banquet, hosted by the Black Chamber of Commerce, will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Abilene Convention Center, 1100 N. 6th St. A meet-and-greet begins at 6 p.m.

Theme is “Darkness Cannot Drive Out Darkness, Only Light Can Do That. Hate Cannot Drive Out Hate, Only Love Can Do That.”

Tickets, which cost $40, must be purchased in advance and will not be available at the door. For ticket information, call (325) 829-5585 or (325) 665-1400 or email 1975abcc@gmail.com.  

Featured speaker will be Kendra Bracken-Ferguson, CEO of Carmell Corporation. Born in Germany, Ferguson spent part of her early years in Abilene, where she attended Day Nursery of Abilene and Taylor Elementary before her family relocated to the Austin area.

Throughout her career, Ferguson has achieved success and has empowered many others along the way. She is the founder and CEO Emeritus of BrainTrust, which includes BrainTrust Agency, BrainTrust Founders Studio, and BrainTrust Fund I. Additionally, Ferguson authored “The Beauty of Success: Start, Grow and Accelerate Your Brand” and hosts the Business of the Beat podcast.

Ferguson is among the first 100 Black women to raise over $1 million in investment for her initial company. She has played a pivotal role in guiding and monetizing more than 200 influencer-driven brands, which have collectively generated over $100 million in revenue.

Her accomplishments have earned her recognition in various prestigious lists, such as Essence Magazine’s “17 Inspiring Black Executives Redefining the Face of Beauty,” the Glossy 50: The Collective that Shaped the Beauty and Fashion Industry, Ulta Beauty’s MUSE 100: A Celebration of 100 Inspirational Black Voices Making Beauty in Our World Possible, LA Style’s Most Influential List, and the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. Women of Influence Power 50. Ferguson has also been featured on platforms like Forbes TV, Good Day Austin, The New York Times, Ad Age, and the Los Angeles Business Journal, among others.

Loretta Fulton is creator and editor of Spirit of Abilene