Lake Michigan College seeks Spirit of MLK Spotlight nominees, MLK-inspired artistic submissions for 2022 event

Lake Michigan College seeks nominations for its Spirit of MLK Spotlight honors and original artwork submissions inspired by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for the community-wide MLK Celebration Week, scheduled for Jan. 17-21, 2022. 

Each year, LMC honors and celebrates the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. What started as a one-day community breakfast transformed last year – thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic – into a week-long celebration of virtual events built to create a true community celebration. 

The MLK Celebration Week 2022 will build on that momentum with both in-person and virtual events, including artistic reflections, performances, round table discussions, speakers, trivia, and more, under the theme, "I Have a Dream 2022: The Fierce Urgency of Now."  

More details of MLK Celebration Week 2022 will be forthcoming. 

Spirit of MLK Spotlight nominations 

Meanwhile, the MLK Celebration Committee seeks Spirit of MLK Spotlight nominations. These recognize individuals and organizations that embody the love and spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood exemplified by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by advancing or promoting social justice in Berrien, Cass, or Van Buren counties. 

Nominees are being accepted in three categories – Students and individuals age 21 and younger, 22 and older, and Organizations. Honorees will be recognized during a virtual event on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022.  

Self-nominations are permitted. Multiple nominations also are accepted. All nominations must be received by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 30. 

Artwork Submissions  

LMC and the MLK Celebration Committee call all artists, dancers, actors, musicians, and writers. Original artwork submissions are being accepted honoring Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., inspired by the theme "The Fierce Urgency of Now" and the idea of what "I Have a Dream" would look like in 2022. 

Artists of all ages and experience levels are encouraged to submit photos, video, audio, or written expressions by Dec. 17. Submissions may be in the form of visual artwork, dance, music, poetry, photography, short stories, spoken word, poetry, theatrical presentations, or other creative works.  

Artistic works will be posted in a virtual gallery in January 2022, with select pieces highlighted as part of a community-wide celebration the week of Jan. 17-21, 2022. These works will become part of a perpetual virtual Artistic Reflections gallery on LMC's website. There is no cost for entry. 

To submit either artwork or Spirit of MLK Spotlight nominations or for more information on the week-long event, visit lakemichigancollege.edu/mlk.