On Wednesday, September 13th, the Camden County Board of Commissioners and Camden County College presented an evening with Dr. Clarence B. Jones, speechwriter and counsel to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. During the event, Jones discussed citizenship, the Constitution, and his new book, “Last of the Lions,” followed by a Q & A session with attendees. A book signing was held at the conclusion of the free event and books were available for purchase.
Dr. Jones assisted Dr. King by drafting his “I Have a Dream” speech, which he delivered at the March on Washington on Aug. 28, 1963. He also advised Dr. King to write to President John F. Kennedy regarding the Cuban Missile Crisis. Jones served as Dr. King’s lawyer and advisor until Dr. King was assassinated in 1968.
“It is an incredible honor to welcome Dr. Clarence B. Jones, a brilliant man and trailblazer of the Civil Rights Movement, to Camden County,” said Commissioner Jonathan Young. “Jones lived through and played a part in some of the most pivotal moments of our nation’s history, and now more than ever it’s critical to hear about his journey, I think we can all learn something from him. I encourage all residents, especially young people, to take advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity to experience the wisdom and knowledge of Dr. Clarence B. Jones firsthand.”
Jones has dedicated his life to the Civil Rights Movement and has written several books about Dr. Kings’ legacy. He founded the Clarence B. Jones Institute for Civil Advocacy in 2017, a non-profit organization which invokes community, empowerment, compassion and unity through civic service, research and education. He is also an Adjunct Professor at the College of Arts and Science, University of San Francisco, and Scholar in Residence, The Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute, Stanford University.