History and scholarship will be honored Monday as the Omicron Rho Lambda Chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity hosts its 29th annual scholarship breakfast at 8:30 a.m. at the Vicksburg Convention Center on Mulberry Street.

The program is one of two celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life Monday.

Chapter president Ben Brown said the program was developed to remember the legacy of King and to reward high school seniors for their work in the classroom and the community. He said attendance averages about 350 people per year.

“This is a great effort by a lot of people,” he said.

He said this year’s speaker is Jackson attorney Kelsey Rushing, regional vice president for Alpha Phi Alpha.

“We looked at some ways of getting the community involved,” he said, recalling the program’s development. “Robert Walker, former mayor went to one and saw how well it was done.”

He said the club decided on a breakfast program as a way to start the observance of Dr. King’s birthday featuring motivational speakers talking about the principles King stood for and to make the community aware of his life.

“It was also a way that the kids could recognize the importance of Dr. King’s life, and what he did, and his position on non-violence, and the people who touched his life.”

He said the scholarship awards are based on an essay written by the student, their academic achievement and their service to the community.

“Their community service is included in the essay,” Brown said. “The top qualifiers will receive the scholarships.”

He said the breakfast is also aimed at encouraging the students and those attending to get involved in community activities on King’s birthday, “And not just that day but every day to help further the cause.”

At 6 p.m., the convention center will be the site of another program honoring King when the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Day Committee, First Mississippi Chapter of Blacks in Government, Vicksburg Branch of the NAACP and the city of Vicksburg hold the 32nd communitywide program honoring King’s 89th birthday.

The program’s theme is “Remember, Celebrate, Act; A Day on, not a Day Off.” Bishop Ronnie C. Crudup, pastor of New Horizon Church International, is the guest speaker for the event, and performances by Miss Mississippi Ann Elizabeth Buys and the Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial Day Youth Choir.