Durham political fixture, civil rights activist will speak at Durham Tech for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. event

N.C. Rep. Henry M. Michaux, Jr. will be the featured speaker at the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. event hosted by Durham Technical Community College.

Michaux has served in the North Carolina House of Representatives for more than 40 years, making him the longest-serving member in the state’s House. He is set to retire after his current term.

Michaux attended Durham public schools. He earned his bachelor of science degree and juris doctor degree from North Carolina Central University, where he did graduate work in business administration and economics. He also completed graduate work in physiology and biochemistry at Rutgers University and received an honorary doctor of law degree from NCCU.

Michaux served in the United States Army Medical Corps from 1952-54 and in the Army Reserves from 1954-60.

During his time in government, Michaux has served as the senior chair of the Appropriations Committee and has supported the election of African-American judges, enhancement of voting rights, historically black colleges and universities, and minority economic development programs.

Michaux received the NC NAACP Humanitarian Award; NC Justice Center - Champion of Justice Award; Greater Durham Black Chamber of Commerce 2018 Man of the Year Award; and the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. He also has been inducted into the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame in the area of government and recognized in the Congressional Record of the U.S. House of Representatives.

When he was a 26-year-old member of the Durham Business and Professional Chain, Michaux invited Dr. King to Durham and to stay at his house. He continued to open his Durham home to King upon King’s subsequent visits.

Durham Tech will present its annual MLK event on Jan.18. It will feature performances by the Durham Tech MLK choir; remarks from faculty and staff including Durham Tech President Dr. Bill Ingram; and a showing of the trailer for “Best of Enemies,” an upcoming movie about a civil rights activist in Durham. The award winners of the I Have a Dream Award will read their winning essays and receive their awards, and Durham Tech will handcraft products for the community in connection with the main event.

The event is only open to Durham Tech faculty and staff.