Francis Marion University will host its 26th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration on campus Thursday, January 16 at 6:30 p.m. in Chapman Auditorium.
This year’s keynote speaker will be Florence Mayor Lethonia Barnes. The program will be emceed by members of the FMU Student Government Association and the Campus Activities Board. The event will also include entertainment provided by the Young Gifted and Blessed Gospel Choir and winners of FMU’s Got Talent.
Lethonia Barnes is an accomplished business owner, a former college administrator, wife, mother, and a current pastor. Barnes graduated from Wilson High School and went on to attend South Carolina State University, where she earned her degree in business. Prior to becoming Mayor of Florence, Barnes owned the largest beauty and barber salon in Florence and led the first business to kick-start the downtown renewal in the city. She also served as an administrator at Florence-Darlington Technical College and Virginia Tech for a combined 21 years. Additionally, Barnes served a four-year term as a Florence City Councilwoman. During her time as mayor, Barnes has dedicated substantial effort to organizing events that support the elderly, as well as school readiness programs that offer supplies and meals for students.
Barnes is actively involved in several boards and committees, such as the Downtown Revitalization Board and the Florence Cosmetology Association, where she previously served as president. She is also a current member of the Chamber of Commerce Board, the Community Redevelopment Committee, the Business Redevelopment Committee, and the Pee Dee Community Action Agency. Barnes is the current pastor of Fletcher Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Laurinburg, NC.
