The Multicultural Center will host its annual celebration of the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a series of events that run Jan. 11-17, 2011. The events commemorate the spirit of diversity and honor the sacrifices and current work of many for inclusion and equality.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Beloved Community Celebration
Thursday, January 13 – Elon University, Whitley Chapel
12 p.m. – Elon University, MLK Commemorative Program
The opening program will feature guest speaker Ronald Carter, president of Johnson C. Smith University, as he delivers his thoughts on the timely topic, “His Past. Your Future. One Dream.” Carter uses personal stories, metaphors and worldly events to help his audience discover the need for communal development. The program will also recognize the winners of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Essay Contest. THIS PROGRAM WAS MOVED FROM WEDNESDAY TO THURSDAY DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER.
Thursday, January 13 – 3rd annual Elon Law’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Forum
6:30 p.m. – Elon University School of Law (downtown Greensboro, N.C.)
Elaine R. Jones, who served as the first woman president and director-counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund from 1993 to 2004 and championed a number of groundbreaking civil rights cases over a career spanning three decades, will deliver the keynote address at Elon University School of Law’s third annual Martin Luther King, Jr. forum on Thursday, January 13, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. in the law library.
Friday, January 14 – College Coffee in the Moseley Center’s Hearth Lounge (event moved from Tuesday and Wednesday due to weather)
11:30 a.m. – Elon University, MLK “College Coffee”
Elon University’s Office of Student Activities will sponsor a special College Coffee featuring the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech. The campus community is invited to commemorate the life and legacy of one of the world’s most inspiring human right leaders.
Sunday, January 16 – Elon University, Moseley Center (Boney Fountain)
4 p.m. – Elon University, Beloved Community Peace Journey & Candlelight Vigil
The Peace Journey is a community march designed to celebrate the growth and development of our nation, state and local community. It commemorates the many lives lost and sacrifices made in the work to eradicate hate. This demonstration is a symbolic burial of hate and oppression. Elon’s Black Cultural Society and Gospel Choir will lead the charge in this annual demonstration of reconciliation.
Immediately following the Peace Journey, Elon University’s Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life will host a candlelight vigil in the Academic Village Amphitheater in honor of King’s life, service and dream. Participants will light up the night with candles, share memories of his life and legacy, and celebrate his vision for the future. Open to students and to the local community, the vigil is an outdoor assembly and testament of triumph over acts of oppression. It begins at 4:45 p.m.
Monday, January 17 – Elon University, Moseley (Boney Fountain)
9 a.m. – Beloved Community “Day of Service”
Elon University’s Kernodle Center for Service Learning and Community Engagement, in conjunction with the Multicultural Center, will coordinate “A Day of Service” to celebrate King’s legacy. The four service sites are Kopper Top Life Learning Center, Ralph Scott Life Services, Residential Treatment Services and Alamance County Family Justice Center. There will be a brief reflection discussion immediately following the service projects.
If you are interested in volunteering, please register at serviceday@elon.edu.
Presented by Black Cultural Society, Kernodle Center for Service Learning and Community Engagement, Multicultural Center, Office of Student Activities, and Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life. For more information, contact Leon Williams at 336-278-7244 or email lwilliams25@elon.edu