Full range of campus and area events slated to honor King
KALAMAZOO—Activities at Western Michigan University and across the broader Kalamazoo community are planned to honor slain civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr., including a convocation, march, day of service, and educational programs and presentations.
"Past, Present, and Future: Living the Dream" is the theme of this year's celebration, which includes events that are free and open to the public.
Martin Luther King Jr. celebration activities
Wednesday, Jan. 15
Martin Luther King Jr. birthday celebration, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Texas Township Campus, Student Commons Lyceum, Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Attendees are encouraged to bring their Martin Luther King Jr. readings and celebrate his birthday by enjoying his writings.
Friday, Jan. 17
Community reflection, 11 a.m., Stetson Chapel, Kalamazoo College, "Redeem the Dream: All Hands on Deck."
Saturday, Jan. 18
Public school students' campus visitation, 9 a.m. registration, East Ballroom, Bernhard Center. Open to middle and high school students and their parents and guardians from Kalamazoo Public Schools and surrounding school districts.
Sunday, Jan. 19
The 28th Annual Northside Ministerial Alliance Martin Luther King Jr. celebration, 4 p.m., Galilee Baptist Church, 1216 N. Westnedge Ave. Keynote speaker is Rev. Dr. Michael Nabors, pastor of New Calvary Baptist Church, and professor of homiletics and director of the Master of Divinity program at the Ecumenical Theological Society.
Monday, Jan. 20
City of Kalamazoo Communitywide Day of Service, 8 a.m. Meet at City Hall, 241 W. South St. Volunteer opportunities available at volunteerkalamazoo.org.
Convocation, 10:50 a.m., Stetson Chapel, Kalamazoo College. Keynote speaker is Jevon Caldwell Gross, Kalamazoo College Board of Trustee member and pastor of Hamilton Memorial United Methodist Church.
March to MLK Park, starting at 3:30 p.m. at the flagpole at Kanley Chapel, WMU; to Kalamazoo College Red Square, corner of Thompson and Academy streets, at 4 p.m.; to MLK Park, corner of Rose Street and West Michigan Avenue, at 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 21
MLK on the "Giant Triplets of Racism, Materialism, and Militarism," 7 p.m., 208 Bernhard Center. An examination of MLK's resistance to racism, materialism and militarism, and his prophetic vision for nonviolence, peace and social justice.
Monday, Jan. 27
Ministry and mental health forum, 5 to 8 p.m., Galilee Baptist Church, 1216 N. Westnedge. Panel discussion featuring clergy and mental health professionals focusing on spirituality and mental health. Mental health agency booths will be set up between 5 to 6 p.m. Participants will be able to view the agency display booths and gather information about their services.
Art made by clients of various mental health programs will be on display as a reflection of the importance of reducing mental health stigmatization. The panel discussion will take place between 6 to 8 p.m. Refreshments will be served.
RSVP to emerginghope@gmail.com with full name and organization or church by Monday, Jan. 20. Contact Curtis or Pamela Robinson at (269) 205-3356 or emerging-hope@gmail.com with questions.
Jan. 27 to Feb. 24
Common Read Experience with the book "Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man," by Steve Harvey, 4 p.m., WMU Center for Counseling and Psychological Services, Kalamazoo. Open to six to 10 student participants. Focus is on building healthy romantic relationships among college students. Meets weekly for six weeks. Contact Dr. Glinda Rawls at (269) 387-5108 or glinda.rawls@wmich.edu.
Tuesday, Feb. 11
"Is Our Past Brighter Than Our Future?," 6:30 p.m., 208-209 Bernhard Center. Discussion examining racial progress, professional and social success, and unity amongst African-American college students.
Wednesday, Feb. 26
"Promoting Diversity in Science-related Careers," noon, 208-210 Bernhard Center. Discussion with a panel of WMU alumni in science-related careers targeted at current undergraduate and graduate students.
For more information, visit wmich.edu/mlk or contact Tony Dennis, MLK Celebration Committee chair at (269) 387-1247 or tony.dennis@wmich.edu.