This year marks the 25th anniversary celebration of the King Holiday. The King Center in Atlanta and other leading institutions around the country have events planned around this landmark legislation. Programs commenced on Jan. 8 and will continue through Monday, Jan. 17, 2011, the MLK Holiday.
The King Center president and CEO, Martin Luther King III, announced that the Salute to Greatness Awards Dinner on January 15 would honor, posthumously, the late Senator Edward Moore “Ted” Kennedy, with his widow, Victoria Kennedy, accepting the award and paying tribute to her husband’s legacy and support of Dr. King. “It’s fitting that we honor Senator Kennedy as we mark this special 25th anniversary commemoration,” said King III in a press statement, “because no U.S. senator worked harder to secure the kind of social, economic and humanitarian reforms needed to fulfill my father’s dream. In addition, Senator Kennedy was the primary Senate sponsor of the King Holiday legislation, and his leadership was critical for its enactment.”
King III also announced that The King Center’s corporate honoree would be Ben and Jerry’s, with co-founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield accepting the award. “Under the leadership of Mr. Cohen and Mr. Greenfield,” said King III. “Ben and Jerry’s has provided an outstanding example of creative entrepreneurship and corporate social responsibility, setting the highest standards of environmental concern, progressive workplace policies and public-spirited community involvement.”
Check out this list of MLK-related events in major cities.
Atlanta
Gang School and Youth Violence Prevention Seminar
Tuesday, Jan. 11
6 p.m.
The King Center’s Freedom Hall Auditorium
Metropolitan Atlanta Violence Prevention Partnership, in collaboration with The King Center, will present a seminar on gang, school and youth violence prevention.
Kingian Nonviolence Collegiate Leadership Orientation
Wednesday, Jan. 12
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The King Center is hosting this event for Atlanta-area college sophomores and juniors. The training will be conducted by Dr. Bernard LaFayette, a former aide to Dr. King and now senior scholar in residence at Emory University and Captain (Ret.) Charles Alphin Sr.
State of Georgia Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Commission Program
Thursday, Jan. 13
10 a.m.
North Wing of the State Capitol
The event will feature Governor Nathan Deal and a host of elected officials
The 4th Annual Peace Program: Celebrating the Peace Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Thursday, Jan. 13
6-9 p.m.
The King Center
This event is co-sponsored by the American Friends Service Committee and the King Center
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s “A King Celebration” Concert (cancelled due to inclement weather)
Thursday, Jan. 13
8 p.m.
Martin Luther King Jr. Chapel on the Campus of Morehouse College General admission: $25
Naturalization Ceremony with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Friday, Jan. 14
10 a.m.
The King Center
Swearing-in and welcoming 81 new citizens of the United States
The National 9/11 Flag Stitching Ceremony
Friday, Jan. 14
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Outstanding community servants will take part in re-stitching the largest American flag to survive the 2001 attack on the World Trade Center
Happy Birthday Dr. King: Children Celebrating, Learning & Living the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Saturday, Jan. 15
9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
The King Center
Freedom Hall Auditorium
449 Auburn Ave., NE
On Dr. King’s actual birthday anniversary, Yolanda Renee King, granddaughter of Dr. and Mrs. King, will host the celebration for children ages 2-10 years old. The event will feature Dr. King cartoon preview, kids’ performances, symbolic remarks and light refreshments.
Andrew Young Presents film series
Saturday, Jan. 15
Noon to 5 p.m.
The King Center
Freedom Hall Auditorium
449 Auburn Ave., NE
The King Center, in partnership with the Andrew Young Foundation, will host the First Annual Civil Rights Film Festival, featuring documentaries from the “Andrew Young Presents” collection. The program will feature remarks by Ambassador Andrew Young.
The King Center’s Annual Salute to Greatness Awards Dinner
Saturday, Jan. 15
6:30 p.m.
Hyatt-Regency Hotel Atlanta
To honor, posthumously, the late Senator Edward Moore “Ted” Kennedy, who was a leading advocate for civil rights, peace and a host of progressive reforms, as well as the primary sponsor of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday legislation. Victoria Kennedy will accept the award on his behalf and give remarks on her late husband’s legacy. The corporate honoree at the dinner will be Ben & Jerry’s, which will be recognized for the company’s leadership in corporate social responsibility. Co-founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield will accept the award. Other confirmed participants: Martin Luther King III; Rev. Bernice A. King; Christine King Farris; Columnist-commentator Roland S. Martin; and gospel quartet The Turning Pointe. The Dinner is The King Center’s primary fund-raising event.
Tickets $200, Tables $2,500 and $5,000
Book Signings
Sunday, Jan. 16
3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
King Center
Freedom Hall Auditorium
Book signings with members of the King family, including King Center president and CEO Martin Luther King III, Dr. Christine King Farris, and Dr. Angela Farris Watkins autographing books.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Annual Commemorative Service
Monday, Jan. 17 (King Holiday)
Ebenezer Baptist Church
Horizon Sanctuary
Martin Luther King III will deliver the keynote address, with additional tributes to Dr. King from leading public figures. Other confirmed participants; U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss; Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed; U.S. Rep. John Lewis; singers Rev. Wintley Phipps and LeAndria Johnson. Following the service, King III will join the front ranks of the annual Martin Luther King Jr. holiday march in Atlanta.
Youth Poetry Slam
Monday, Jan. 17 (King Holiday)
6 p.m. to 9 p.m
The King Center
Freedom Hall Auditorium
Atlanta’s young poets will lend their voices to the continuing relevance of the King legacy to a new generation.
Sustaining Families and Communities through Environmental Stewardship Monday, Jan. 17 (King Holiday)
In partnership with The King Center, The Center for Sustainable Communities in collaboration with Southern Company and its subsidiary, Georgia Power; Atlanta Urban League; and other environmental and civic organizations. Participants in this program will plant 100 fruit trees and 200 vegetable seedlings in the lot on the corner diagonally opposite from The King Center and collect recyclable materials in honor of Dr. King, as part of the nationwide day of community service on the King Holiday. Hands on Atlanta will also coordinate a broad range of city-wide community service projects in honor of Dr. King, and President Obama is expected to participate in a King Holiday community service project in Washington, D.C.
For more information and to make donations, please visit www.thekingcenter.org/KingHoliday/Default.aspx.
Chicago
DREAM 2011: Martin Luther King Jr. Day Lecture Series
Pro Bono and Community Service Fair
Wednesday, Jan. 12
Noon
Northwestern University
School of Law Atrium
375 E. Chicago Ave.
“Examining the Power of Symbols”
Wednesday, Jan. 12
4 p.m.
Northwestern University
School of Law
Arthur Rubloff Building, Room 150
375 E. Chicago Ave.
“What does it mean to Be White?”
Thursday, Jan. 13
Noon
Northwestern University
School of Law
Arthur Rubloff Building, Room 150
375 E. Chicago Ave.
This discussion will feature panelists William A. Von Hoene, Jr., executive vice president, finance and legal, Exelon Corporation; Rick Kittles, associate professor, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago; Regine W. Corrado, Baker & McKenzie, LLP; and Destiny Peery, Ph.D/JD candidate, Northwestern School of Law. Dwight A. McBride, dean of The Graduate School, will moderate.
“Commercially Prevalent, Conscientiously Absent: Native Americans in the U.S.”
Friday, Jan. 14
Noon
Northwestern University
Robert H. Lurie Medical Research Center
Hughes Auditorium
303 E. Superior
Olivia Roanhorse, policy associate at Ounce of Prevention Fund, will be among the panelists.
Northwestern University MLK Day of Service
Saturday, Jan. 15
In recognition of the community-building work accomplished by Martin Luther King Jr., Northwestern students will have the opportunity to volunteer for off-campus service projects in Evanston and Chicago neighborhoods.
Register online at www.norris.northwestern.edu/community.
Talks by Tavis Smiley and Eboo Patel
Monday, Jan. 17
Noon
Northwestern University (Evanston campus)
Pick-Staiger Concert Hall
50 Arts Circle Drive
Popular TV and radio host Tavis Smiley and Interfaith Youth Core founder and executive director Eboo Patel will deliver the midday keynote addresses commemorating Martin Luther King Jr.
Although free, tickets are required.
Staged Reading of “North Star”
Monday, Jan. 17
3 p.m.
Ethel M. Barber Theater
30 Arts Circle Drive
“North Star” is an award-winning play about a young girl growing up in North Carolina in the early days of the civil rights struggle by Northwestern alumna Gloria Bond Clunie.
General admission seating is limited and reservations are recommended. To make a reservation, visit https://bit.ly/fjyGYu.
Alpha Phi Alpha Candlelight Vigil
Monday, Jan. 17
7 p.m.
Alice Millar Chapel
1870 Sheridan Road
The event will feature a keynote address by Northwestern alumna and trustee Cheryle Jackson and musical performances by the Alice Millar Chapel Choir and several University a cappella student groups. A reception in Parkes Hall will follow the program, which is presented by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and the MLK planning committee.
For more information on these and other Evanston and Chicago campus events honoring Martin Luther King Jr., visitwww.northwestern.edu/mlk/.
Los Angeles
Celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Sunday, Jan. 16 and Monday, Jan. 17
Noon
CAAM Museum
Join legendary singer Freda Payne and actor Jeffrey Anderson-Gunter at CAAM to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The two-day celebration will feature live performances representative of the diverse cultures in Los Angeles, including recording artist Abraham McDonald.
The two-day festivities are free and open to the public. Doors open at 11:00 a.m. Children’s workshops will be held on both days beginning at noon. Guests are encouraged to take advantage of the rich culture, history and ongoing exhibitions in the CAAM galleries.
For more information and a schedule of the King Day events, call (213) 744-7432 or visit the website at www.caamuseum.org.
New York
Rev. Al Sharpton and National Action Network
“House of Justice”
Sunday, Jan. 16
Noon
106 West 145th Street @ Lenox Avenue
Confirmed Attendees: Senator Gillibrand, Governor Cuomo, AG Schneiderman, Comptroller DiNapoli, Congressman Rangel, Congressman Meeks, Congressman Nadler, Mayor Bloomberg
Public Advocate DeBlasio, Comptroller Liu, Speaker Quinn, DA Cy Vance, Assem. Keith Wright, Assem. Hakeem Jeffries, Assem. Karim Camara, CM Julissa Ferreras, CM Ydanis Rodriquez, BP Ruben Diaz, BP Scott Stringer, Mayor David Dinkins, Mike Fishman, Stuart Applebaum, Kathleen Rice, Rev. David Hampton
Rev. David Jefferson, Sr., Rev. John Scot, Hazel Dukes NAACP and Rabi Marc Schneier
13th Annual New York Martin Luther King Jr. Interfaith Celebration for Religious and Social Harmony
Sunday, Jan. 16
2 p.m.
Islamic Cultural Center of NY
“Words of Inspiration”
1711 Third Avenue (97th Street)
Entrance on Third Avenue
Sunday, Jan. 16
3 p.m.
Sutton Place Synagogue
Words of Inspiration
225 East 51st Street
Sunday, Jan. 16
4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
St. Bartholomew’s Church
Interfaith Services
Park Avenue & 51st Street
March in solidarity with interfaith leaders and examine what Dr. King’s mission means. Listen to excerpts from Dr. King’s speech, reflections from spiritual leaders, uplifting choral performances and more.
Complimentary bus service is available and space is limited. Reserve a seat or for more information, please call (718) 589-7858, ext. 30. New York Metro MLK Center for Nonviolence, 576 East 165th Street, Bronx, N.Y., 10456 www.nymlkcenterfornonviolence.org
Washington, D.C.
26th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Program
Friday, Jan. 14
7 p.m.
Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History
Baird Auditorium
10th Street and Constitution Avenue N.W.
Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum will present Juan Williams, Fox TV News political analyst and Fox News Sunday panelist, as the featured speaker for the museum’s King program.
Williams’ remarks addressing the topic “King Alive: His Dream Lives on Today” will be followed by dialogue with Essence magazine’s Washington correspondent Cynthia Gordy.
The event includes a performance by Taratibu Youth Association Steppers, a pan-African performance group based in Washington. Two of Williams’ books will be available for sale and signing.
Admission is free, but seating is limited. To obtain more information or make reservations, the public may e-mail [email protected] or call (202) 633-4875.
