Dr. Martin Luther King, of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, tells a news conference in Philadelphia Feb. 9, 1968 that he will go to Washington in April with thousands of supporters to demand a comprehensive job and income program from the Federal Government. He opened the first office in Philadelphia February 9 in conjunction with this effort. Dr. King said that the temper of the program will be nonviolent, but his people will be prepared to stay until the government responds and legislation to that aim is reached. (AP Photo)
Scott LaMar was formerly the Host and Executive Producer of The Spark program on WITF-FM, 89.5 & 93.3 in Harrisburg, Pa.
Previously, LaMar was WITF TV’s Sr. Public Affairs producer and produced the station’s award-winning weekly public affairs TV program, Smart Talk.
In addition to his on-air duties, LaMar moderated political candidate debates, including those for candidates running for Pennsylvania governor and the U.S. Senate and was a regular contributor to BBC World News TV before and after the 2020 U.S. Presidential election.
The American Society of Civil Engineers honored LaMar with their national Excellence in Journalism award in 2020. He has been nominated for five Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards.
LaMar and The Spark have been recognized throughout the Central Pennsylvania community including ADVOZ Lancaster’s “Dignity in Dialogue Award”, the South-Central Assembly’s “Regional Citizen Award” and was named a “Humanitarian Hero” by The Humane Society of the United States/Pennsylvania.
A native of Coatesville, Pa., LaMar has also worked as a broadcast news anchor, sports play-by-play announcer and manager.
AP Photo
Dr. Martin Luther King, of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, tells a news conference in Philadelphia Feb. 9, 1968 that he will go to Washington in April with thousands of supporters to demand a comprehensive job and income program from the Federal Government. He opened the first office in Philadelphia February 9 in conjunction with this effort. Dr. King said that the temper of the program will be nonviolent, but his people will be prepared to stay until the government responds and legislation to that aim is reached. (AP Photo)
Listen to Smart Talk every weekday at 9am and 7pm on WITF 89.5 & 93.3. You can also stream WITF radio live on our website or ask your smart speaker to “Play WITF Radio.”
Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the U.S. — a day to honor the late civil rights leader. Dr. King was viewed as the nation’s leading advocate of equality and justice for African-Americans during the 1960s – what has been referred to as the Civil Rights Era in America.
The King holiday would seem to be even more significant in 2021 after the “Racial Reckoning” that swept the country after the death of George Floyd while in police custody last May.
Floyd’s death set off protests against police violence toward minorities that expanded into demonstrations and acknowledgement of discrimination, inequality and injustice.
Monday’s Smart Talk focuses on whether the last six months has brought change and if we as a nation are any closer to King’s vision of racial equality.
