State Representative Johnny W. Shaw of the 80th Legislative District will serve as the guest speaker for Dyersburg State Community College’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Luncheon at Noon on January 17 at Dyersburg State Community College campus inside the Learning Resource Center (LRC) Sells Family Lobby.

“Dyersburg State Community College, in partnership with the Dyersburg/Dyer County Chamber of Commerce, is honored to host our annual Martin Luther King Jr. Luncheon and to have Representative Johnny Shaw as this year’s speaker.  Rep. Shaw, a pastor, successful businessman, and state representative, is truly inspiring.  I look forward to his presentation and know that our community will, too.” stated DSCC President Dr. Scott Cook. DSCC welcomes distinguished guests, community leaders, faculty, staff, and students to join us for this occasion.

Rep. Johnny W. Shaw was born and raised in Fayette and Hardeman counties to hardworking parents who were sharecroppers. After his father registered to vote, his family faced eviction from their home during the 1960s. As the years passed and the civil rights movement gained momentum, Shaw became increasingly involved in community issues. By November 1999, he was encouraged to run for state representative of the 80th legislative district, which encompasses Hardeman and Haywood counties. He was elected as the first African American to represent a rural West Tennessee district since the Reconstruction era, and he has proudly served in this capacity for the past 23 years, currently representing portions of Hardeman, Haywood, and Madison Counties.

Rep. Shaw has been appointed by House Speakers from both parties to continue serving on Finance and Budget Committees, overseeing the state’s budget for over two decades. He is also active in his community, serving on numerous civic boards and co-founding the TAKE ONE Initiative, which, in collaboration with the TN Department of Corrections, aims to mentor returning citizens from incarceration.

In addition to his legislative work, Rep. Shaw is the Co-Owner of Shaw’s Broadcasting LLC, situated in the same bank building that once denied him a $200 loan. He has transformed that venture into a successful business, expanding WOJG and WBOL into Shaw’s Broadcasting, LLC. For the past 44 years, he has served as the Senior Pastor of St. John Baptist Church in Stanton, leading the congregation from 80 members to over 300. Rep. Shaw and his wife, Opal, have four adult children. In his spare time, he enjoys grooming his lawn and gardening.

Tickets for the luncheon are $20 each. Tickets must be purchased in advance by January 15 at the Dyersburg/Dyer County Chamber of Commerce or the DSCC One Stop located in the Student Center at the Dyersburg campus.

For more information regarding the event, contact Edith Carlton at 731-286-3300 or carlton@dscc.edu.