Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
4th Monday in January
Community Unity Day
Celebrating
the Strength in Our Shore Diversity
CBES Community Unity partnership with the Northampton Branch of the NAACP, led by Jane Cabarrus, goes back 35 years to our founding president, the late Suzanne Wescoat.
Partnering with Northampton County Public Schools, it was held each year at the high school on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. A joyous program of speakers, music, and community service awards centered around 100s of citizens gathered for a communal breakfast. The symbolism of “breaking bread” was a fitting gesture of friendship.
Serving Our Unified People
Since COVID, Community Unity Day has evolved into S.O.U.P. - Serving Our Unified People. It begins with our inspiring hour-long radio salute to MLK Day with partners Shore Daily News/WESR. The day brings together a diverse coalition of 40 or more volunteers to honor King’s legacy of service.
Meeting at Gidden’s Do Drop Inn, one of the oldest continually owned and operated African-American businesses on the Shore, in past years we have prepared and delivered soup to 500 low-wealth seniors across Northampton County. It lets our often-forgotten seniors know their contribution to the fabric of Shore life is still appreciated.
MLK Community Service Awards
Accepting MLK’s Community Service Awards: seated, from left: Bessie K. Wynn, Betty Sims-Bell for Shorter’s Chapel A.M.E. Church, Joann Fitchett, and Margaret Van Clief.
Also pictured standing, from left: Lisa L. Martin, Northampton County Superintendent of Schools; Jane Cabarrus, President NAACP Eastern Shore Region; Mancha Stanton and Tom Berkley of Pender & Coward; Patty Kellam of the ESCC Foundation; and Meriwether Payne, CBES President. Photo credit: Pender & Coward
With you, our members, Community Unity Day will continue to grow, change, and adapt. But what will remain constant is our North Star – embracing the Shore’s diverse people.
2025 Sponsors
2025 Partners
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc
Pi Epsilon Omega Chapter
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Beta Alpha Pi Zeta Chapter ESVA
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
CBES invites members and Shore neighbors to volunteer for what is always an uplifting experience.
And yes, donations for this event are always welcome!