*Headline photo; Flint Mayor Karen Williams Weaver
KALAMAZOO (MICH.)–
Nearly 50 years after his death, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dedication to racial equality continues to be the driving force behind efforts toward equality for all people.
His legacy will be remembered through lectures, luncheons, performances, and marches in honor of his birthday, January 15 (the birthday is celebrated as a Federal holiday on the third Monday in January).
Issues such as affordable healthcare, safe drinking water for the residence of Flint, Michigan, and education will be the topics of various scheduled events. On Saturday, Jan. 14, Flint Mayor Karen Williams Weaver, will give the keynote address at the Martin Luther King Community Breakfast: Leading With Love, First Congregational Church in Battle Creek.
Congressman Upton speaks at a past MLK event with the late Anna Whitten. -COMMUNITY VOICES IMAGE
Congressman Fred Upton (6th District-Michigan) will present the keynote address at 11 a.m. Jan. 16, at the 26th Annual MLK Birthday Celebration at the Ecumenical Senior Center in Kalamazoo, 702 N. Burdick St. Refreshments will be served from 10:30 a.m.-Noon.
The ministers of the Northside Ministerial Alliance in Kalamazoo also will host its 31st annual celebration event at 4 p.m. Jan. 15, at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 120 Roberson St., with keynote speaker Bishop John Franklin White, presiding prelate of the Fourth Episcopal District, African Methodist Episcopal Church and president of the AMEC Council of Bishops.
Below is a list of area events by city to celebrate the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. If you have an event to share, please email to: editor@comvoicesonline.com.
Learn of all the events featured through Western Michigan University’s MLK Celebration at: http://wmich.edu/mlk/events
Other events are as follows:
Battle Creek, Michigan-
Thursday, January 12, 9-10 am, Remember! Celebrate! Act! A Day On, Not a Day Off!, Federal Center Palm Garden Room (**Come 15-30 minutes early, with photo id, to get through security screening). Keynote: Pastor Chris McCoy.
Dr. Julianne Malveaux to speak in Battle Creek on January 13.
Friday, January 13, 6:30-8:30 pm, The Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King in the Era of Donald Trump, Kool Family Community Center, Keynote: Dr. Julianne Malveaux.
Saturday, January 14, 9 am, Martin Luther King Community Breakfast: Leading With Love, First Congregational Church, Keynote: Mayor Karen Williams Weaver, City of Flint. Cost $15/advance and $20/door. Limited Seating.
Sunday, January 15, 4 pm, Martin Luther King, Jr. Ecumenical Service, Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church. Variety of participants.
Monday, January 16, 12 pm, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service Soul Food Lunch, Washington Heights United Methodist Church.
Monday, January 16, 5-6 pm, Dr. Martin Luther King Community Celebration, Bronson Battle Creek Outpatient Center Atrium. Variety of participants. Each January, Bronson joins the nation in honoring civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. His legacy continues to inspire generations of Americans, and many of the principles he stood for can be found throughout Bronson’s organizational culture.
If you have any questions, please contact Mikka Dryer, Inclusion Project Coordinator, at 341-8323 or dryermi@bronsonhg.org.
Kalamazoo, Michigan-
Monday, January 16, 10:30-Noon, Congressman Fred Upton to speak at 23rd Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration, Ecumenical Senior Center, 702 N. Burdick St. Refreshments will be served, address at 11 a.m.
*Also see www.wmich.edu/mlk/events for more event collaborations with Western Michigan University.
The City of Kalamazoo and Gryphon Place, in cooperation with Fifth Third Bank, Life EMS, Schupan & Sons, Envirologic, and Western Michigan University, will sponsor the 16th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community-Wide Day of Service (The Transformative Power of a Unified Dream) on Monday, January 16, 2017.
During the National Day of Service, volunteers will have the opportunity to dedicate their time to service projects that strengthen our community and support our neighbors. Residents are again encouraged to volunteer their time at participating area social service agencies coordinated by Volunteer Kalamazoo. Volunteers can pre-register for a project site online at http://go.volunteerkalamazoo.org/calendar/ or by contacting Jenna Touchette at jtouchette@gryphon.org. Volunteers may also register onsite at City Hall (241 W. South Street) on Monday, January 16 between 8-9 a.m.
Dr. Martin Luther King Community Celebration, Bronson-Kalamazoo. Each January, Bronson joins the nation in honoring civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. His legacy continues to inspire generations of Americans, and many of the principles he stood for can be found throughout Bronson’s organizational culture. On Monday, January 16, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. we invite you to take part in one of our Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebrations. The celebration in Kalamazoo County will take place at the Radisson Plaza Hotel – Arcadia Ballroom. All individuals, businesses and organizations are invited to join this gathering to reflect and celebrate “The Transformative Power of a United Dream.” This short, family-friendly program featuring local performers and speakers is an opportunity to connect as a community in a unique way.
Muskegon, Michigan-
MLK, Jr. Day “Soup & Service”
Monday, January 16 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. (open house) “Soup & Service” honors Martin Luther King, Jr. and his legacy of service, at the United Way of the Lakeshore, 31 E. Clay Avenue, Muskegon, MI. The public is invited to attend and either donate a non-perishable good, donate school supplies, or sign-up to be a volunteer tutor to help kids learn to read. Other service options are also available to sign-up.
Sonya Bernard-Hollins
Community Voices was founded in 2005 by James and Arlene Washington in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The weekly print publication provided a unique opportunity to inform the multicultural community of news important to them. In addition, it provided an affordable advertising source for small businesses in the community.
By Sonya Bernard-Hollins, publisher-
The City of Kalamazoo and Gryphon Place, in cooperation with Fifth Third Bank, Life EMS, Schupan & Sons, Envirologic, and Western Michigan University, will sponsor the 16th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community-Wide Day of Service (The Transformative Power of a Unified Dream) on Monday, January 16, 2017.
Monday, January 16 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. (open house) “Soup & Service” honors Martin Luther King, Jr. and his legacy of service, at the United Way of the Lakeshore, 31 E. Clay Avenue, Muskegon, MI. The public is invited to attend and either donate a non-perishable good, donate school supplies, or sign-up to be a volunteer tutor to help kids learn to read. Other service options are also available to sign-up.