On Friday, Jan. 14, the Rev. Nathaniel Jackson will speak in Owens Auditorium at 11 a.m. for Sandhills Community College's annual Martin Luther King Jr. observance.

Jackson has retired after serving 30 years with the Moore County Schools in Pinehurst and Southern Pines. He has been a pastor at Stoney Hill United American FWB Church in Carthage, and is presently the pastor of St. Matthews Chapel United American FWB Church in Eastwood, Harrington Chapel United American FWB Church in Southern Pines, and Christ Way Deliverance Church in Eastwood.

Jackson and his wife, Geneva McIver Jackson, a former school teacher, direct the 21st Century Community Learning Center at Christ Way Deliverance Church and at Union Pines High School. This program is a free afterschool program for school aged children grades K-12. The two have plans to open sites in West End, Addor, Southern Pines and Taylortown.

The couple's three adult children are K-3 teachers in Moore County Schools.

Jackson received a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Fayetteville State; a master's degree in educational administration and supervision from A & T State University and an advance degree in curriculum, educational supervision and superintendent from the University of North Carolina.

A reception will follow the talk in the Teresa Wood Reading Room in Boyd Library.