Honoring The Legacy Of Dr. King: MLK Events Around Metro Detroit
DETROIT (WWJ) - A cycling event meant to bring the community together, while remembering the legacy of a civil rights leader, is planned for Monday morning in Detroit. Kelli Kavanaugh is ride director for the 3rd Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Bike Ride.
"We normally ride down Woodward and follow the exact route of the march, which started basically in Brush Park and went down Woodward to Cobo," said Kavanaugh."Because of the M-1 Rail we are going to be taking Cass this year ... there's a little bit of a detour from our normal route it's still in the spirit of his march and his speech."
The 10-mile ride will take participates past Cobo Center, where Dr. King delivered a version of his famous "I Have a Dream Speech" before giving it in Washington D.C.
The ride is free, it beings and ends at McGregor Memorial Conference Center on the campus of Wayne State University.
MORE EVENTS
Free Public Film Program, Panel Discussion
What would Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. have to say about the recent racial strife in Ferguson, Missouri and New York City? How would his beliefs apply in the longstanding conflict between Palestine and Israel?
In remembrance of the life and legacy of Dr. King, the Arab American National Museum and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History are jointly presenting a free afternoon of film and discussion about King's messages and strategies as they relate to both the African American and Arab American communities in the 21st century.
The event, 1-4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, 2015 in the General Motors Theater at The Wright Museum, 315 E. Warren Ave. in Detroit, includes screenings of The Wright Museum's short MLK biographical film A King Among Us and, making its southeast Michigan premiere, the 2014 documentary Al Helm (The Dream): Martin Luther King in Palestine, directed by Connie Field.
A panel discussion follows the film screenings, focusing on issues of community building, community service, and ways to diffuse racial and ethnic tensions. Panelists include Will See, youth coordinator at East Michigan Environmental Action Council; Amanda Ghannam of Kairos USA's board of directors and former Students for Justice in Palestine organizer; Dr. Jeffery D. Robinson, principal at Paul Robeson/Malcolm X Academy and pastor at Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, both in Detroit; and Zena Ozeir, activist/Public Ally.
The event is free and the public is invited to attend. Advance registration is strongly encouraged at http://bit.ly/mlkinpalestine.
This public program is one of several events taking place throughout the day at The Wright Museum on Monday, Jan. 19, 2015, in celebration of the national Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. Visit http://thewright.org for a complete schedule of events.
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Honor the legacy of one of America's greatest leaders at the 2015 "MLK – A Celebration of Freedom," a tribute to the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The annual program will take place at Athens High School (4333 John R) on Monday, January 19 at 8:30 am. There is no charge to attend, but donations will be accepted to help organize next year's program. All ages are welcome.
"We look forward to capturing the spirit of Dr. King and remembering his life through this celebration," Cindy Stewart, Community Affairs Director for the City of Troy said. "This community event is a meaningful way to pause and reflect on his uncompromising dedication to garnering civil rights for all people."
The Celebration kicks off with a welcome by Padma Kuppa, Board Member and Steve Spreitzer, President & CEO, MI Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion followed by a symbolic Unity Walk with Troy School District students around Athens High School.
Superintendent of Troy Schools Dr. Richard Machesky and Troy City Manager Brian Kischnick will emcee the program. There will recognition of the Troy School District student Art Contest, Essay Contest and Video Contest winners. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
This year's theme for the essay and video contests is "What am I doing to make a positive change in my community?" There will be music performances by the Athens High School Concert Choir & Magic Under the direction of Michelle Fredericks. Keynote Speaker is Jyarland Daniels, MBA, JD; Marketing Communications Director from Race Forward.
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Join City Year Detroit as we honor Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on his birthday holiday - Monday, January 19 - at Blue Cross Blue Shields' Bricktown Service Center. Dr.Glenda Price, President of the Detroit Public Schools Foundation, will be our Honoree and Keynote speaker on this inspirational day. Following the rally, the City Year AmeriCorps Members will perform service throughout the Metro Detroit Community.
Location - Blue Cross Blue Shield Bricktown Service Auditorium
Parking - Bricktown Garage located on St. Antoine and Lafayette
Event Schedule
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Continental Breakfast
10:00 AM - 11:15 AM: Rally with Keynote Speaker and Honoree Dr. Glenda Price - President of the Detroit Public Schools Foundation
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MLK Breakfast in Birmingham
"Color Blind or Color Brave - An Open Dialogue on Race" will be the topic of discussion at the 23rd annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Celebration Breakfast, at 9 a.m. Monday, Jan. 19, at The Community House in Birmingham.
The event will feature a moderated panel discussion and small group breakout sessions.
The annual event is held in conjunction with Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Tickets are $30 general and $15 for students and includes breakfast. Go to www.tchserves.org or www.racerelationsdiversity.org.
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MLK Day Celebration at Henry Ford Hospital
Richard Jackson, M.D., MPH, chair of Environmental Health at UCLA's School of Public Health and a longtime advocate for improving the health of residents in urban areas, will be the keynote speaker at Henry Ford Hospital's 15th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration.
The celebration will be held from noon – 1:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, in the hospital's Buerki Auditorium, 2799 W. Grand Blvd. Doors open at 11 a.m.
The MLK Observance will also feature musical performances by The Mosaic Youth Theatre, and a riveting one-act play by Words I Speak Entertainment.
Among the equal rights that Dr. King often spoke of includes the right to live in a community where one can live a healthy and long life, says Dr. Jackson.
In 2012, Dr. Jackson hosted the Public Television series "Designing Healthy Communities." Detroit was featured as a city in need of a significant environmental makeover. Poorly designed communities contribute to high incidences of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, asthma, cancer and depression, said Dr. Jackson, who also noted that with better urban and suburban planning, disease can be prevented.
"What really impacts people's health is where they live, the home they're in, the community they're in" says Dr. Jackson, adding that if you tell him where you live, he can tell you how long you're going to live.
In the years since the program's airing, Dr. Jackson says he's observed a new energy in the city. "With the re-population of Detroit with young urban pioneers along with the sprouting up of community gardens, farmer's markets and bike lanes, Detroit is definitely on the right course to improve public health," he says.
This event is free and open to the public.
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YPSILANTI – Dick Gregory, a renowned comedian and a longtime leading civil and human rights activist, will be the distinguished guest and keynote speaker at the 29th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration at Eastern Michigan University on Monday, Jan. 19, 2015.
Gregory will present his keynote address at 10 a.m., in the Student Center Auditorium, located at 900 Oakwood, Ypsilanti. The keynote is free and open to the public. He will also speak at the President's Luncheon, starting at 11:45 a.m., in the Student Center Ballroom. The luncheon is sold out.
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50 Years Since Selma: The Struggle for Democracy, Peace and Social Justice Continues
On Jan. 19, 2015 we will hold the 12th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Rally & March beginning at Noon in the sanctuary of the Central United Methodist Church. This year's theme is "From Selma to
Detroit: The Struggle for Democracy, Peace and Social Justice Continues."
We are recognizing the valiant contributions of the struggle for voting rights by Dr. King, the founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and others who paved the way for the advances gained during the 1960s and 1970s.
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The City of Romulus, Romulus Community Schools and the Romulus Ministerial Alliance are coming
together again to honor the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. This year will mark the 16th Anniversary of the Romulus
Community's celebration of Rev. King, and it will be held on Monday, January 19th, 2015.
The theme for this year's celebration is "The Time is always Right to do what is Right".
The community celebration will commence at 7:30am by gathering at the Romulus Middle School (37300 Wick Rd.,
Romulus, MI 48174) for coffee, hot chocolate and a prayer to start off the unity march at 8:00 a.m., down Wick Rd. to the Romulus Senior High School (9650 S. Wayne Rd., Romulus, MI 48174).
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Canton Township will once again honor the memory and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a special tribute, "Canton Celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.," on Monday, January 19, 2015 at The Village Theater at Cherry Hill, located at 50400 Cherry Hill Road, Canton, MI 48187.
A display of artworks and essays by PCCS Arts Academy students and a punch and cookie reception will begin at The Village Theater at 5:30 p.m., followed by the main program at 6:00 p.m. This annual event is presented by: Canton Commission for Culture, Arts, and Heritage; members of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Sub-Committee; and Canton Township. Admission to this special presentation is $2 at the door.
This year's keynote speaker will be Rev. Dr. Wm Reese, Jr. M.A.R.S., L.L.P., Pastor of St. Paul United Methodist Church of Detroit, Psychotherapist--Henry Ford Hospital Dearborn Outpatient Behavioral Health Clinic and Adjunct Professor Oakland Community College.
The program will also feature Plymouth Canton Educational Park Step Team and musical performances by the BeckRidge Chorale.
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Day of Service
More than 400 Macomb Community College students, faculty and staff to commemorate MLK Day of Service
Macomb College community joining together in volunteer activities at college and throughout metro Detroit area.
• Making blankets for the homeless
• Cleaning musical instruments for Charity Music
• Organizing and packaging donated food at Forgotten Harvest and Gleaners Community Food Bank
• Macomb Community College President James Jacobs volunteering at a local Salvation Army Store.
More than 400 Macomb Community College students and employees.
Jan. 19: 8 a.m. to noon (South Campus in Warren and off-campus locations)
• Opening ceremony at 8 a.m. at South Campus. Opening remarks by Jacobs and presentation by Dakota Jackson, winner of Macomb's MLK Day essay competition. Jackson, who lived on a Canadian Indian reservation prior to moving to the U.S. at age 13, discusses his experience dealing with prejudice and how Dr. King's message resonates with him.
Day of Service
UDM Recognizes Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
In celebration of his many contributions to racial equality, UDM will be hosting events on Monday, Jan. 19 and Thursday, Jan. 22 in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.
The week begins with a service opportunity through UDM's Campus Kitchen on Monday, Jan. 19. The event, sponsored by Campus Kitchen and UDM's service fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega, will give students the chance to give back on their day off.
Participants will be delivering food to Gleaners Community Food Bank, the largest nonprofit organization providing food for Southeastern Michigan. UDM students interested in volunteering must contact Rachel Joseph at CKUDM1@gmail.com by Friday, Jan. 16. Limited space is available.
UDM's Martin Luther King Jr. and Black History Month committees, co-sponsored by Student Affairs, will host a commemoration discussion on Thursday, Jan. 22 from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at the Fountain Lounge in the Student Center on the McNichols Campus.
Students, faculty, staff and community are invited to discuss and examine how Dr. King's message can guide us in light of the recent events in our country around race, class and socio-economic disparity.
This event is open to the public with no RSVP required. Light refreshments will be provided.
