Events for 2018

Activities at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo College and across the broader Kalamazoo community are planned to honor civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., including a convocation, march, day of service, educational programs and presentations.

"What is your position in times of challenge and controversy?" is the theme of this year's celebration which includes events throughout 2018. Most events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.

For accommodations and contact information, please refer to each event list below.

Wednesday, Jan. 10

WMU, Kalamazoo Public and surrounding school districts Social Justice Art Competition and WMU and Kalamazoo Public Schools Social Justice Book Bowl

Art Competition: Art competition featuring original student artwork that honors Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King's legacy and exemplifies the celebration's annual theme. Art often has a way of unifying people and bringing sensitive issues to light. This competition encourages young people to find creative and artistic ways of bringing the Kalamazoo community together around a common purpose. Fifteen selected art competition pieces will be on display. Judges will select three winning pieces.
 
Book Bowl: Reading competition designed to encourage the love of reading and to promote literacy in Kalamazoo Public Schools. The program exposes young people to different genres of young adult literature focused on social justice in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Each student is responsible for reading two books, including one fiction and one non-fiction selection Students read the assigned books and prepare with their coaches and teammates for the competition.
 
For accommodations and further information, contact Tiffany B. White (tiffany.white@wmich.edu, 387-6327).
 
Both competitions begin in October and culminate in January.
  • 5 p.m.
  • Linden Grove Middle School

WATCH THE SOCIAL JUSTICE BOOK BOWL VIDEO

Thursday, Jan. 11

"The Courage to Create" poetry celebration

The Courage to Create Program is a writing and research competition designed to encourage the love of poetry, student research in the role of writers as agents for social change, and to promote literacy in middle and high school students. The program exposes young people to various genres of poetry and will provide a forum for parents and families, local writers, literacy experts, and faculty, staff, and students from local higher education institutions to build a supportive community to foster youth’s creative writing and historical research activities. The Courage to Create Program is open to all middle and high school students. Poets are welcome to enter poetry on themes of social justice and equality.
 
For accommodations and further information, contact william.r.craft@wmich.edu. or kathy.purnell@wmich.
  • 4:30 to 6 p.m.
  • WMU Multicultural Center in the Adrian Trimpe Building.

friday, Jan. 12

Community reflection

The speakers include Kalamazoo College students, faculty, staff and administrators.

For accommodations and further information, contact Natalia Carvalho-Pinto, Kalamazoo College, (269) 337-7208 or ncarvalh@kzoo.edu.

  • 11 a.m.
  • Stetson Chapel at Kalamazoo College

Saturday, Jan. 13

Public school students' visitation

Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018 Public School Students' Visitation. 8:45 a.m. registration, Bernhard Center Ballroom.

Middle school and high school students and families will have the opportunity to attend a variety of fun and educational workshops. Activities will be available for middle school ages and above. Competitions include a WMU and Kalamazoo Public School Social Justice Book Bowl; Social Justice Art Competition open to all middle and high school students; and a Courage to Create Poetry Competition, open to all middle and high school students. The event is open to families from Kalamazoo Public Schools and surrounding school districts. 

For accommodations and further information, contact Scott Hennessy at scott.hennessy@wmich.edu.

  • 8:45 a.m. registration and community organization tables
  • Bernhard Center ballroom

sunday, Jan. 14

Northside Ministerial Alliance 32nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration

The keynote speaker is Pastor Johnathan Tremaine Thomas, Destiny Church, St. Louis, Missouri.

For accommodations and further information, contact (269) 388-6227 or nmakalamazoocity.org.

  • 4 p.m.
  • Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 120 Roberson St., Kalamazoo

monday, Jan. 15

City of Kalamazoo Communitywide Day of Services

For accommodations and further information, contact Martin Markos (markosm@kalamazoocity.org, 226-6500).

Volunteer opportunities available.

  • 8 a.m.
  • Meet at City Hall, 241 W. South St.

Addressing Threats to Justice, the Climate, Civil Rights, and World Peace: A Day of Learning and Action

Sessions combine short inspirational speeches, focused discussion, action plans and connections to student, faculty and community organizations. WMU students, faculty and community members are invited to attend.

For accommodations and further information, contact Allen Webb (allen.webb@wmich.edu, 387-2605).

Sessions run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Bernhard Center.

MLK Day Convocation

The speaker is Mariame Kaba, organizer, speaker and author whose work focuses on ending violence, dismantling the prison industrial complex, transformative justice and supporting youth leadership development. She is also the founding director of Project NIA, a grassroots organization dedicated to ending youth incarceration, and the co-founder of the Chicago Freedom School.

For accommodations and further information, contact Natalia Carvalho-Pinto, Kalamazoo College, (269) 337-7208 or ncarvalh@kzoo.edu.

  • 10:50 a.m.
  • Stetson Chapel, Kalamazoo College

Pre-MLK Walk Lunch Discussion

For accommodations and further information, contact .

Kanley Chapel is opening its doors to students and participants of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Walk that begins at 3:30 p.m. at the WMU flagpoles. At 1 p.m. in Kanley Chapel's Dialogue Center, posters will be available for decorating for the commemorative walk, as well as food and hot chocolate, while we engage in deep and meaningful discussion surrounding the differences and similarities between the Civil Rights era and today.

For accommodations and further information, contact kanley-staff@wmich.edu.

  • 1 p.m.
  • Kanley Chapel's Dialogue Center

Commemorative Walk (Due to weather conditions, instead of walking, guests will take a bus from WMU Bernhard Center and Kalamazoo College Red Square to the MLK Park. After MLK Park, buses will take guests back to Kalamazoo College and WMU. One bus will take guests to The State Theatre event beginning at 5 p.m. if they choose to attend. There will be a bus at 6 p.m. after The State Theatre event to take guests back to Kalamazoo College and WMU.)

To honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. the Kalamazoo Community is invited to participate in a commemorative walk. Participants will gather at the flagpoles in front of Kanley Chapel at WMU, then walk to Kalamazoo College's Red Square to join with additional participants. From there, the group will proceed to MLK Park to hear a short keynote address, brief remarks by college students, and a song led by community leaders.

For accommodations and further information, contact Martin Markos (markosm@kalamazoocity.org, 226-6500).

  • 3:30 p.m. at the flagpoles 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.

Community Celebration

Bronson Healthcare and Borgess Ascension invite the community to a party immediately following the "Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Walk" at the State Theatre. Come in out of the cold and enjoy hot chocolate and cookies while viewing the transforming highlights of the week and listen to local entertainment.

For accommodations and further information, contact Mikka Dryer at (269) 341-8323 or Sister Sue McCrery at (269) 226-5937.

  • 5 to 6 p.m., approximately 
  • The State Theatre, 404 S. Burdick, Kalamazoo

tuesday, Jan. 16

National Day of Racial Healing

Visit https://www.facebook.com/NationalDayofRacialHealing/ or www.kalfound.org or contact Lanna Lewis at slewis@kalfound.org for updates on ways to participate individually as well as local activities hosted by the Kalamazoo Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation.

Presentation to Dr. Lewis Walker Youth Social Justice Award Winners

Presentation to award to recipients during the scheduled City of Kalamazoo Commission meeting.

For accommodations and further information, contact Martin Markos (markosm@kalamazoocity.org, 226-6500).

  • 7 p.m.
  • City Hall

wednessday, Jan. 17

"Reaching for the Dream" Luncheon

Celebrate the work and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with WMU Dining Services on Wednesday, Jan. 17 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dishes from regions across the United States will be featured, highlighting Rev. Dr. King's emphasis on unity and persistence in times of controversy.  Everyone is welcome for lunch for $9.50; meal plans, Dining Dollars, cash or credit are accepted. All WMU Dining Centers are participating: Bistro3, Burnham, Hoekje/Bigelow, and Valley Dining Center.

For accommodations and further information, contact Emily Hazel (emily.v.hazel@wmich.edu, 387-4888).

  • 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • WMU Dining Centers

 

saturday, Jan. 20

Black Student Leadership Summit

This free opportunity will serve to engage and develop student leaders at Western Michigan University as it relates to their student involvement, post-graduate success, and academic achievement. This short summit will feature stimulating sessions that engage participants on the following pillars: leadership, advocacy, and legacy. Similar to a conference, there will be breakout sessions including a keynote from Dr. William Pickard. Registration is required for attendance. Registration link: tinyurl.com/BLS2018

For accommodations and further information, contact Hailey Mangrum (hailey.m.mangrum@wmich.edu, 387-2131).

  • 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Sangren Hall

wednesday, Jan. 24

The Easiest Conversation on Race

Kalamazoo Valley Community College hosts guest speaker Dar Mayweather.

For accommodations and further information, contact Mary Johnson (mjohnson@kvcc.edu, 488-4766).

  • 11 a.m.
  • 4240 Student Commons at Kalamazoo Valley Community College

Saturday, april 14

Emerging HOPE Family Strengthening Program Mental Health Forum

The forum features a keynote address, by Kevin Fischer, executive director of the Michigan chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Fischer is the founder of the Dominique Fischer Memorial Foundation, serves on the board of directors for the Guidance Center and several other organizations. He is dedicated to eliminating the stigma of mental illness, which he considers the leading barrier to early diagnoses and treatment. Following the keynote, participants can attend one of three educational workshops.

Mental Health agency booths will be set up allowing participants to view the agency display booths, talk with mental health providers and gather information. Lunch will be provided as well as event t-shirts will be given to the first 100 registered participants.  State Continuing Education Clock Hours and WMU Continuing Education Units will be offered for all workshops and keynote address. There is a fee for both SCECHs and WMU CEUs of $15 per participant. Registration is $25 with limited scholarships available. To register, visit surveymonkey.com/s/XQ9LPK7 or emerginghopefsp.org.

For accommodations and further information, contact Curtis or Dr. Pamela Robinson at (269) 321-0021.

  • 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • 3901 Emerald Drive, Kalamazoo