JHS alumnus to speak at Black History program

The Martin Luther King Jr. and Black History Committee of Jennings (MLK/BLK) has activities planned for Sunday, Feb. 24, to coincide with Black History Month.

The program will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Union Baptist Church, 1014 S. Main St., according to committee Steering Chairman Don Broussard. The program will consist of musical selections from the youth community choir and a guest speaker as well.

“Dr. Marcus Martin, PhD, MPH, MA is a graduate of Jennings High School said Broussard. “He and his wife, Dr. Edilisa Martin, have founded a research business that has become very successful, and we liked the idea of honoring him since he is originally from our city. We are looking forward to hearing his story about his accomplishments.”

Broussard said the company, 2M Research, is one of the fastest growing companies in the country. The company provides research, program evaluation and policy analysis in the areas of clinical research, public health research and social, behavioral and methodological sciences.

According to Martin’s biography, he graduated from JHS in 1987 and attended the University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM) on a football scholarship. While playing football at JHS from 1983-1986, he was chosen as Most Valuable Defensive Player in the district and selected to be part of the Louisiana 3-A All-State Football team. He was later a member of the ULM 1-AA 1987 National Champion Football Team.

He received masters degrees from ULM and the University of North Texas Health Science Center, and his doctorate from Howard University. He is a former faculty member at the University of Oklahoma and the University of North Texas Health Science Center.

Martin and his wife have two children and have resided in Mansfield, Texas, since 2002.

The public is invited to attend the program.

“I want to encourage everyone to bring their children out to hear what Martin has to say,” said Broussard. “I think what he has to say is very important for our younger generations to hear.”