NEWS

Honoring MLK’s legacy at CMU

Students, faculty and staff invited to participate in week’s events

| Author: Aaron Mills | Media Contact: Aaron Mills

More than 60 years after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s historic “I Have a Dream” speech, Central Michigan University will honor King’s legacy with a week of events and activities. The national theme, set by the The King Center, is “Mission Possible: Protecting Freedom, Justice, and Democracy in the Spirit of Nonviolence365”.

The celebration and reflection events begin on Monday, Jan. 20 with the return of the CommUNITY Peace Brunch in Finch Fieldhouse. The brunch is open to all members of the CMU and greater Mt. Pleasant communities. Attendees will hear from finalists in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Oratorical Contest, Christ Central Choir, a jazz performance, and keynote speaker and CMU alumnus Senator Sarah Anthony.

Returning this year is Mission Possible: A Dr. Martin Luther King., Jr. Showcase, which takes place on Tuesday, Jan. 21. The event allows community members to recognize the life of MLK in their own unique way, whether it be through song, dance, poetry, spoken word, or other forms of expression.

The keynote speaker for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. week is Diana Patton, former Civil Rights attorney, Corporate Executive, and CEO & Founder of Rise with Diana and the Rise Advocates® movement. In her powerful MLK Day talk, Patton will share transformative principles of nonviolence and her methodology for moving toward authentic personal and cultural change.

The week concludes on Friday, Jan. 24 with the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “Students vs. Staff” charity basketball game. Monetary and non-perishable item donations will be accepted for entry and gifted to the CMU Student Food Pantry.

A complete event schedule is below:

Monday, Jan. 20

  • Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. CommUNITY Peace Brunch: 9:30 a.m., Finch Fieldhouse. Doors open at 9 a.m.
  • Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, hosted by the  Mary Ellen Brandell Volunteer Center: noon, Bovee University Center Rotunda.
  • Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. CommUNITY Peace March and Vigil: 3 p.m., Bovee University Center

Tuesday, Jan. 21

  • Mission Possible: A Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Showcase: 6 p.m., Bovee University Center Rotunda

Wednesday, Jan. 22

  • Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. keynote speaker Diana Patton: 7 p.m., French Auditorium (EHS Building, Room 118)

Friday, Jan. 24

  • Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. charity basketball game: 6:30 p.m., Student Activity Center (Courts 5 and 6)

 

View latest news