MLK Celebration Week returns with community-wide effort
Each year, Â黨ÐÇ¿Õmv honors and celebrates the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. What started as a one-day community breakfast transformed last year – thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic – into a week-long celebration of virtual events built to create a true community celebration. Ìý
The MLK Celebration Week 2022 will build on that momentum with both in-person and virtual events, Jan. 17-21, under the theme, "I Have a Dream 2022: The Fierce Urgency of Now." This event, presented by Â黨ÐÇ¿Õmv and supporting sponsorsÌýKinexusÌýGroup, Whirlpool Corp., and United Way of Southwest Michigan, features speakers, performances, round table discussions, community service projects, and more.Ìý
"Bringing our community together on MLK Day to reflect on Dr. Martin Luther King's legacy and his teachings has long been a tradition here at Â黨ÐÇ¿Õmv," LMC Dean, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Major Cooper said. "But after seeing the success of last year's expanded event, thanks to our community partnerships, we knew we had an opportunity to dig even deeper to celebrate, educate, and inspire throughout this week and beyond."Ìý
The MLK Celebration Week begins at 9 a.m., Monday, Jan. 17, with the . The event includes welcoming messages fromÌýU.S. Rep. Fred Upton,ÌýSt.ÌýJoseph Mayor LauraÌýGoosÌýand Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad,Ìýan invocation from New Bethel Baptist Church City of Refuge Pastor Maurice McAfee, andÌýaÌýkeynoteÌýpanel discussion led byÌýDr. LynnÌýTodman, Vice President, Health Equity at Spectrum Health along with colleagues Nicki Britten,ÌýDirector of Population Health, andÌýCorey Smith, Lead Evaluator for Health Equity. The kickoff also features inspirational musical performances and the announcement of the Spirit of MLK Spotlight recipients, shining a light on anÌýindividual, organization, and student who embody MLK's spirit of brotherhood/sisterhood and love in our community through their direct action.Ìý
"The Spirit of MLK SpotlightsÌýrecognizeÌýjust a fraction of the incredible work being done right here in our communities, but there is even more work to be done," Cooper said. "Through our partners, we can offer everyone an opportunity to take action in our community, including water distribution and both food and blood drives."Ìý
Here is the full schedule of events:Ìý
All WeekÌý
•ÌýBenton Harbor Water Distribution Volunteer OpportunitiesÌý
•ÌýVolunteer Service OpportunitiesÌý
•ÌýUnited Way of Southwest Michigan Food DriveÌý
•ÌýElectronic Messages for Active Service MembersÌý
•ÌýUnited Way of Southwest Michigan 21-day Equity ChallengeÌý
•ÌýMLK Art Activity PacketsÌý
Monday, Jan. 17Ìý
9 a.m. –ÌýMLK Week KickoffÌý(Virtual Event)Ìý
9 a.m. –ÌýMLK Week Kickoff Watch Party (Niles District Library)Ìý
10:30 a.m. –ÌýMLK Live Read (Bridgman Public Library)Ìý
10:30 a.m. –ÌýMLK Live Read (NilesÌýDistrictÌýLibrary)Ìý
4 p.m. –ÌýBridging the Gap in Service (Virtual Panel Discussion)Ìý
7 p.m. –ÌýDream Update 2022 (Virtual Panel Discussion)Ìý
Tuesday, Jan. 18Ìý
TBD –ÌýRuby Bridges Trivia (ForÌýElementaryÌýClassrooms)Ìý
4 p.m. –ÌýUnified Civic Monuments Project (Virtual)Ìý
7 p.m. –ÌýNeighbors Organizing Against Racism (Virtual Panel Discussion)Ìý
Wednesday, Jan. 19Ìý
8:30 a.m. –ÌýCommunity Blood Drive (LMC Benton Harbor Campus)Ìý
10:30 a.m. –ÌýMLK Live Read (Virtual)Ìý
7 p.m. –ÌýJuneteenth (Virtual Panel Discussion)Ìý
Thursday, Jan. 20Ìý
7 p.m. –ÌýRace Relations Council (Virtual Panel Discussion)Ìý
Friday, Jan. 21Ìý
1:30 p.m.Ìý–ÌýMLK Live Read (Virtual)Ìý
3 p.m. –ÌýMLK/Civil Rights History Bee (Virtual)Ìý
6 p.m. –ÌýSpirit of MLK Spotlights: A Call to Action (Virtual Event)Ìý
In addition to these events, several resources also can be found onÌýlakemichigancollege.edu/MLK. These resources include an updatedÌýUnderrepresented Businesses Directory, an awareness and equity guide to woman-and-minority-owned businesses in Berrien, Van Buren, and Cass counties; anÌýMLK Resource GalleryÌýfor books, podcasts, films, community resources, and more that explore race relations, bias, racism, and current events; andÌýMLK ArtisticÌýReflections, where people can submit their creative reflections about King and his legacy.Ìý
All events are free. To sign-up for individual programs orÌýfor more information, visit lakemichigancollege.edu/MLK.ÌýÌý
For answers to additional questions, contact JenÌýO’FlynnÌýat 269-927-6590 orÌýjoflynn@lakemichigancollege.edu.Ìý
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