What organizers consider one of the most inclusive events of the year returns for its 18th year.

The annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Prayer Breakfast will begin at 8 a.m. Jan. 19 at the E.E. Waddell Community Center.

Promoted through the local chapter of the NAACP, the event’s theme is “Never Lose Hope — Unity Wins.”

“Of all the events that we do throughout Stanly County, I believe this is one of the most diversified events as far as business, political and religious leaders coming together, for one cause, to remember a civil rights leader who contributed so much to society,” said Dexter Townsend, chairman of the prayer breakfast.

Guest speaker will be Anita O. Scott, who is co-pastor of New Direction Life Ministries in Norwood with her husband, the Rev. J. Michael Scott.

A native of Baltimore who grew up in Badin and graduated from North Stanly High, Anita O. Scott continued her education at Morgan State University in Baltimore, receiving her bachelor of science degree in psychology and her master’s degree in adult education from N.C. A&T State University in Greensboro. She is pursuing a doctorate from Trinity College of the Bible & Theological Seminary.

Scott said she has attended almost all of the prayer breakfasts, but this is her first time as guest speaker.

“I am appreciative of the breakfast continuing because it is important that we not only remember the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, but that we continue the work of Dr. King. Because there is still much work to do in the area of equality and equal rights and everyone being able to have great successes in life,” Scott said. “This breakfast is just a reminder of what we all — regardless of race, regardless of color — we all have to do to reassure that everyone is part of the dream.”

In November 2004, Scott was elected to serve on the Stanly County Board of Education. In her second term she served as the board’s first chairwoman. In July 2014 she was appointed by Stanly County commissioners to serve on the Stanly Community College Board of Trustees.

Scott and her husband are the parents of one daughter, Jasmine.

Tickets or table reservations are available by contacting any member of the local NAACP or can be purchased at the Waddell Center Main Office weekdays.

To reserve a table of eight, call Townsend at 704-550-7065.

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