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Article published Jan 4, 2009 Speakers set for 2009 MLK Celebration
From Martin Luther King Celebration Committee Christopher H. Jackson
Chris Jackson is location manager of the Rigid Packaging Division at ALCOA's Tennessee Operations, the world's largest producer of rolled aluminum can sheet for beverage cans.
Tennessee Operations has been operating in Blount County since 1910 and currently employs about 1,850 East Tennesseans in its Blount and Knox County locations.
As location manager, Jackson is responsible for the day-to-day success and challenges of the Rigid Packaging Division at Tennessee. Prior to joining ALCOA Tennessee Operations, Jackson has held senior manufacturing roles for more than 20 years, most recently with Chromalox Inc. where he was general manager of Utah Operations. Jackson also held positions with RR Donnelley, Coors Brewing Company, ADVO, Anchor Glass Container and Corning. Prior to starting his industrial career, he was a captain in the U.S. Army.
A Kentucky native, Jackson was nominated to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he played varsity football and was an undefeated boxer. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering and earned a master's degree in management from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Jackson also holds a law degree (EJD in Health Law) from the Concord School of Law. He and his wife, Melbia, reside in Maryville and have three children.The Reverend Dr. Eric L. Leake
He was born Aug. 11, 1963, in Troy, N.C., and was reared in Mount Gilead, N.C. He is married to Jean McMurray Leake. They have one daughter, Jessica, 22, senior, Tusculum College, Greeneville; three sons, Joshua, 12, Caleb, 10, and Elijah 9; one grandson, Jeremiah Andrew, 5 months.
Leake has been pastor of the Greater Warner Tabernacle A.M.E. Zion Church in Knoxville since Jan. 24, 1993.
He initiated Church Vision: The Five Ships of Ministry, a model for Church Growth and Ministry: Discipleship, Worship, Stewardship, Fellowship and Leadership. He hosted Five Ships of Ministry Conference and retreat for three years to encourage people in ministry at dying congregations. Membership increased from 40 to 485.
He has been Presiding Elder, Knoxville District, Tennessee Conference, A.M.E. Zion Church, with oversight of nine churches, since June 2006.
He preached his initial sermon Jan. 6, 1985, at McAuley Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, Mount Gilead, N.C, was ordained a deacon in the A.M.E. Zion Church in October 1986; and ordained an elder in the A.M.E. Zion Church in September 1988.
Leake published a workbook with cassettes on the Seven Steps to Church Renewal. That work deals with methods and means for revitalizing dying congregations, especially in mainline denominations. The Seven Steps: Leadership, Prayer, Fasting, Scripture, Vision, Action and the Holy Spirit.
He received the 2003 Divine Servant Award given by Joy 62 WRJZ radio station.
He graduated in June 1981, from West Montgomery High School, Mt. Gilead, N.C., was a 1982 graduate of Harris Barber College, Raleigh, N.C.; 1985 graduate Montgomery Community College, Troy, N.C., with an associates degree; 1990 graduate of Shaw University, Raleigh, N.C., with a Bachelor of Science degree; 1995 graduate of Hood Theological Seminary, Salisbury, N.C., with a Master's of Divinity degree.
In 2004, he received the Doctor of Ministry Degree from United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio.Keith McDaniel
Keith McDaniel is a nationally renowned, award-winning documentary filmmaker and a native of East Tennessee. A graduate of Carson-Newman College, Keith has spent his career telling stories -- as a newspaper reporter, television producer, and for the past 12 years, as a filmmaker.
McDaniel's most recent film, "The Clinton 12," tells the story of the desegregation of Clinton High School in Clinton in 1956.
Clinton High was the first public school in the South to be integrated as a result of the U.S. Supreme Court decision Brown v. the Board of Education.
Narrated by James Earl Jones, "The Clinton 12" has screened in dozens of film festivals across North America, garnering 15 awards, including several Best Documentary awards as well as the Nashville Public Television Human Spirit Award. In February 2008, "The Clinton 12" was broadcast nationwide on PBS.
McDaniel is also the writer/director of the critically acclaimed feature documentary films, "Secret City: The Oak Ridge Story, Parts 1 and 2." These films tell the story of the role Oak Ridge played in helping win World War II as well as the years following the end of the war which led to some of the greatest scientific discoveries and accomplishments of the 20th century.
In 2007, McDaniel received the All American Film Festival "Director's Award for the Advancement of Independent Cinema" and received the "2007 Roane State Community College Outstanding Alumni Award." In recognition of his contributions to his community, the Oak Ridge Mayor and City Council declared June 15, 2006, as "Keith McDaniel Day" in the city of Oak Ridge.
McDaniel is also the founder and director of the Secret City Film Festival, held annually in Oak Ridge, and, on a daily basis, operates his production company, Secret City Films.