A celebration of the life and legacy of the civil rights pioneer takes place Jan. 15-21, 2013, and features opportunities for service.
*****
Elon University will celebrate the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. this January with a week-long series of events hosted by several departments, offices and programs on campus.
The 2013 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Beloved Community Celebration was organized by Elon Teaching Fellows, the Kernodle Center for Service Learning and Community Engagement, the LGBTQIA Center, the Multicultural Center, the Office of Student Activities and the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life.
Anyone with questions about the following events is encouraged to contact Leon Williams, director of the Multicultural Center, at (336) 278-7243 or lwilliams25@elon.edu.
Tuesday, January 15
Elon University, Hearth Lounge
11:30 a.m. – Beloved Community “Civil Rights Arts Festival & College Coffee”
The Office of Student Activities will be sponsoring a special College Coffee featuring posters and installations inspired by themes of the civil rights movement as well as multiculturalism and diversity.The office invites the campus community to attend to commemorate the life and legacy of one of the world’s most inspiring human rights leaders. This event is the kickoff to the week celebration.
Wednesday, January 16
Elon University, Whitley Chapel
12 p.m. – Beloved Community MLK Commemorative Program
Dale P. Andrews, the distinguished professor of homiletics, social justice, and practical theology at Vanderbilt University, will serve as the 2013 Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Program keynote speaker on the timely topic, “His Past. Your Future. One Dream.” The program will also recognize the winners of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Essay Contest. This event is sponsored by the Multicultural Center.
Thursday, January 17
Elon University, McKinnon Hall (Moseley Center)
6 p.m. – Beloved Community MLK Difficult Dialogue: “Continuing the Spirit of Social Justice”
The program will provide an opportunity for students to discuss the impact of social justice efforts on local, national and international policies. Participants will hear from students who lead organizations or groups that effect change in the community.
Friday, January 18
Elon University, Young Commons
Noon – “Lock Arms for Peace” – Beloved Community Peace Journey & Candlelight Vigil
The Peace Journey is a community march designed to promote peace and commemorate the many lives lost and sacrifices made in the work to eradicate hate. This demonstration is a symbolic burial of violence and oppression. Please join us as we “Lock Arms for Peace.” We will gather on Young Commons near Haggard Avenue. Immediately following the Peace Journey, we will convene in McKinnon to share thoughts and emotions on the trials and tribulations that have plagued our local and national communities. The time is now for peace and harmony. This event is open to students, faculty and staff.
Monday, January 21
Elon University, McKinnon Hall (Moseley Center)
9 a.m. – Beloved Community “Day of Service”
Elon University’s Kernodle Center for Service Learning and Community Engagement, in partnership with the Multicultural Center, will be coordinating “A Day of Service” in honor of King at Positive Attitude Youth Center and Allied Churches. There will be a brief discussion before and after the service projects. Students interested in volunteering should register at elonvols@elon.edu. Please meet in McKinnon at 9 a.m.
In addition to the offsite “Day of Service,” the MLK Planning Committee will continue its effort to collect children’s books and make donations to Kids Read. Kids Read is a non-profit organization designed to provide new and used children’s books to hospitals and orphanages serving poverty-stricken communities.
If you are interested in making a donation, please drop off your books in the Multicultural Center. For more information, please visit www.kids-read.org. On Monday, Jan. 21, in McKinnon Hall at 9 a.m., volunteers will be packaging donated books for mailing. Kids Read is accepting books in all languages, for all ages. We invite children of all ages to help support this important initiative for other children.
We will be accepting books starting from Monday, December 17 through Monday, January 21.