Memphis, Tennessee (December 15, 2010) – MIFA will honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a public birthday celebration on January 17 at 10 a.m. at its headquarters, 910 Vance Ave.

The free event will include guest speaker Bishop Edward Houston Stephens, Jr of Golden Gate Cathedral of Memphis, the announcement of the 15 finalists in MIFA’s sixth annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Oratorical Contest and a special holiday meals delivery to area homebound seniors.

A native Memphian, Bishop Stephens began his pastoral ministry in 1986 at Golden Gate Cathedral with 310 members. Today, the membership exceeds 4,000. His keynote address at the celebration will center around the impact of Dr. King’s life and teachings on our society.

As part of MIFA’s education goals to develop leadership skills in high school students, MIFA will announce the finalists in its teen oratorical contest. This year’s speech topic is “As a Student Ambassador, what steps would you take to increase the high school graduation rate?” The contest’s first-place winner receives $500 and is the keynote speaker at MIFA’s Day of Reflection and Service on April 2.

Following the program, birthday cake will be served and volunteers will depart to deliver MIFA Meals on Wheels to about 1,800 homebound seniors.

# # #

Founded in 1968, MIFA serves nearly 60,000 people annually as it works to unite our diverse community to address the challenges of poverty. Its mission is to engage the community to sustain the independence of seniors, transform the lives of families in crisis, and equip teens for success.