The 2018 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration encourages our community to “Rise Up, Take Action” — four simple but powerful words.

The celebration is intended to create action where people will leave the event with a renewed sense of focus and purpose, specifically on how to disrupt oppressive systems daily. To understand individual and collective responsibility, attendees will break into small groups to engage in conversation about topics that include affordable housing, the arts, interfaith coalition, education and food insecurity, as they relate to accessibility, equity and inclusion for all.

The annual march will take place at 11 a.m. from Old Town Square to the doors of the Lory Student Center’s Main Ballrooms, and will conclude with a musical performance. The keynote will take place afterwards, with remarks from the keynote speaker Rev. Jamie Washington, president of Washington Consulting Group, president and co-founder of the Social Justice Training Institute, and vice president of the American College Personnel Association.

Event Schedule – Monday, January 15th

9:00am-10:30am: Community Service Project at the LSC

10:30am-11:00am: Transportation to Old Town for those who took part in the Community Service Project

11:00am-12:00pm: MLK Charge and March in Old Town

12:00pm – 1:00pm: Keynote/Entertainment in the LSC Ballrooms

1:00pm-2:00pm: Community Dialogues including Community Service Project continuation throughout the LSC. Refreshments will be provided!

2:00pm-2:30pm: Closing

Opportunities to Donate

In partnership with Homeless Gear, there will be a couple of opportunities to take part in community service before and after the march. To “Rise Up and Take Action” before Jan. 15, consider donating the items listed below. The main drop-off location is the LSC information desk (open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Jan. 14 — click here for specific dates and times during Winter Break) or people can bring items on the 15th.

Needed Items

(Trial size is preferred, but all donations are accepted!)

• Disposable razors
• Shaving cream
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Soap
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Individual size and prepackaged, non-perishable snacks

If you are interested in volunteering for this event, click here! 

For additional information and updates, click here!