By Michael Robinson
New Mount Olive Baptist Church, 400 Northwest Ninth Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, will host the 48th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Service on Sunday, January 14, 2024, at 4:00 P.M. The service is sponsored by the Zeta Alpha Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
This year’s celebration will include a musical extravaganza with selections from The Voices of New Mount Olive Baptist Church, Director Kenny Smith. Dr. Everett Blair Ward of Wake Forest, North Carolina, will be the honored guest speaker.
Everett B. Ward, Ph.D., an educator, public administrator, and humanitarian with more than 35 years of national experience, served as the 11th President of Saint Augustine’s University, North Carolina state government administrator, and General President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.
During his tenure as President of Saint Augustine’s University (2014-2019), Dr. Ward successfully led the university to fully restored accreditation, champion academic excellence, promoted teaching innovation, broaden external partnerships, engaged alumni, and an enhanced relationship with the Episcopal Church. Founded in 1867, Saint Augustine’s University is one of only two Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) affiliated with the Episcopal Church. Transparency and shared governance served as the cornerstones of his administration. Dr. Ward received several awards for his distinguished leadership.
Dr. Ward has served on and chaired two university advisory boards. From 2009-2011, Dr. Ward served as chairman of the Board of Trustees of Saint Augustine’s University. Dr. Ward also served as Vice Chairman of the Association of Episcopal Colleges and Universities and a member of the Executive Committee of the North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities, and a member of the Board of Directors of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF).
Before serving Saint Augustine’s University, Dr. Ward served as Director of Historically Black Colleges and University (HBCU)/Minority Institutions of Higher Education (MIHE) Program for the North Carolina Department of Transportation. Dr. Ward worked with university chancellors, faculty, and staff in transportation curriculum development, research initiatives, and professional development in this role. Dr. Ward served on the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) HBCU/MIHE Work Group.
As General President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, Dr. Ward led the 200,000 plus member organization from 2017-2020. Founded in 1906, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity is the oldest collegiate fraternity incorporated by African American men. The fraternity membership has included such notable leaders as Dr. W.E.B. DuBois, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., US Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, and Congressman Adam Clayton Powell.
Recognized nationally for his public service Dr. Ward serves on several national, regional, and statewide boards to advance citizens’ opportunities. He is a former member of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), where he served as vice-chairman of the DNC Black Caucus. Dr. Ward made history by becoming the first African American to serve as executive director of the North Carolina Democratic Party.
Dr. Ward is a frequent speaker in areas of higher education, leadership development, and civic engagement. As a public leader, Dr. Ward was invited by the Taiwanese government to study the political, educational, and cultural institutions of the Republic of China. Dr. Ward contributed to the publication, Lead the Way: Principles and Practices in Community and Civic Engagement. His research focus includes African American leadership and civic engagement.
Additionally, Dr. Ward served as Senior Fellow for Virginia Union University Center for the Study of Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Program Director for the Southern Education Foundation.
Dr. Ward earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Saint Augustine’s University (College), Master of Arts degree from North Carolina State University, and Ph.D. from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Dr. Ward was a North Carolina A&T State University Wardham Scholar and a member of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and the Golden Key International Honor Society.
Dr. Ward holds membership in Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity (The Boule), the 100 Black Men, Inc., and Life Membership in Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He is a lifelong member of Davie Street Presbyterian Church, the USA, where he is a Ruling Elder.
The annual celebration service is in recognition of the magnificent works of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King’s noble precepts and ideals regarding equal rights, privileges and love for all humankind led to the Congressional Declaration of January 15th as a National Holiday in his honor. The public is invited and the Divine Nine is encouraged to attend this inspirational and educational program.
For further information, please contact Sister Sandra James at the Church at (954) 463-5126 or Brother Michael A. Robinson at (954) 831- 7258.
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