Fourth annual Worship & Celebration Service revolves around this year’s national theme, “A Tribute to Civil Rights in America” and will pay tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela.
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Visions of Hope will hold its fourth annual Worship & Celebration Service to kick off Black History month. The free and public event will revolve around this year’s national theme, “A Tribute to Civil Rights in America,” and will honor Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela.

Husband and wife Philip and Lillian Pipersburg — who met at a fair as junior high school kids in Santa Barbara — founded the nonprofit in 2010 to express faith, glorify God, and promote a just and humane society. They have partnered with 16 churches and organizations throughout the county in an attempt to desegregate worship and “bring black, Spanish, white, everybody under one umbrella.”

Santa Barbara pastor David Moore will deliver a message, and area artists will perform gospel music. Eight African Americans will also be recognized: Isaac Garrett, Tony Jackson, Lawanda Lyons-Pruitt, Wendy Sims Moten, Bill Simms, Naomi Smith, Nannie Wilkins, and Catherine J. Vines. The honorees, ranging from high school teachers to public defenders to community activists, have been chosen for their contributions to the civil rights movement and for uplifting the community in various fashions. “We want to take a step forward in working as a unit as members of our community,” Pipersburg said.

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The event takes place Sunday, January 26, 3 p.m., at the Marjorie Luke Theatre (721 E. Cota St., at S.B. Junior High). For more information, call 884-4087 or visit luketheatre.org.

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