MLK Celebration Week opens with inspiring kickoff event
Now is the Time! The MLK Celebration Week, a free, virtual, community-wide effort inspired by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail,"opened festivities Monday morning with an inspiring kickoff celebration.
The event, attendedvirtuallybymore than240 households,was highlightedby a passionate keynote addressfromTékeidraMasters, an 18-year-old graduate of Benton Harbor High School andthe Boys & Girls Clubs of America 2020 Midwest Regional Youth of the Year.
In her speech, Mastersurgedattendees, regardless of race or ethnicbackground, to no longerremain“voiceless” when it comes to racism in all its forms.She spoke about historic racism and injustices of today, comparing Black Lives Matterprotestsand the Jan. 6 Capitol riots, the police shootings and violence againstAfrican-Americansin 2020, and challenged everyone to stand up and be heard.
“You have to bepassionateabout changeevery daywith your friends, family and foes,”she said. “Use your platforms every single day because you don’t know whomaybe listening.”
Another highlight was the presentation of inaugural MLK Spotlights toLynnTodman, Vice President of Health Equity at Spectrum Health Lakeland, the Race Relations Council of Southwest Michigan, andJada Willis, Miss Benton Harbor 2020.MLK Spotlights aredesigned to shine a light on an individual,organization andstudent who embodies Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s spirit of brotherhood/sisterhood and love through their direct action throughout the community(learn more about the recipients here).
Monday’seventfeaturedinspirationaldanceandmusicalperformances, including Stevie Wonder’s “Happy Birthday,” “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” and “We Shall Overcome.”There weremessages fromU.S. Rep. Fred Upton,MichiganLt. Governor GarlinGilchrist,St. Joseph Mayor MikeGarey,Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad,new Benton Harbor Boys & Girls Clubs CEO Mackenzie Kastl, 黨ǿmv President Dr. TrevorKubatzke, and Whirlpool Corp. Chief Executive Officer Marc Bitzer.
A replay of thekickoffevent canbe foundatlakemichigancollege.edu/MLKas well as on.
Now is the Time! The MLK Celebration Weekispresented by 黨ǿmv, Whirlpool Corp., and supporting sponsorsKinexusGroup,Horizon Bankand United Way of Southwest Michigan. The free, virtualseriescontinues throughout the week and beyond.
Here istheremainingschedule:
Tuesday, Jan. 19
10 a.m. – MLK Trivia
4 p.m. – Discussion Group: I See Me, I See You, I See Us: Children’s Books about Diversity
7 p.m. – Discussion Group: Juneteenth
Wednesday, Jan. 20
1 p.m. – Civil Rights Movement Trivia
7 p.m. – Discussion Group: Letter from a Birmingham Jail – How Far Have We Come?
Thursday, Jan. 21
10 a.m. – Local Civil Rights Trivia
3 p.m. –Student Discussion Group:What do you believe in NOW?
7 p.m. – Discussion Group: Social Justice: A Matter of Equity
Friday, Jan. 22
1 p.m. – Miscellaneous Trivia
2 p.m. - Press Conference/Public Art Special Announcement
7 p.m. – Discussion Group: "The Best of Enemies" – The 2019 Major Motion Picture
All Week
•įUnited Way of Southwest Michigan Food Drive – Proceeds will support food pantries in the tri-county area
•įMLK Art Activity Packets – Pick up at Benton Harbor and St. Joseph libraries while supplies last
•įMartin’s Dream: Virtual theater performance for children ages 8+, streaming free
•įUnited Way of Southwest Michigan 21-day Equity Challenge
In addition to these events, severalnew resourcescanbe foundonlakemichigancollege.edu/MLK. These resources include a newUnderrepresented Businesses Directory, an awareness and equity guide to woman-and-minority-owned businesses in Berrien, Van Buren and Cass counties; anMLK Resource Galleryfor books, podcasts, films, community resources and morethat explore race relations, bias,racismand current events; andtheMLK Artistic ReflectionsGallery.
Tolearn more or tosign-up for individualevents throughout the week,visit .
