MLK Celebration Week returns with community-wide effort
Lake Michigan College honors and celebrates the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a week-long community celebration.
The MLK Celebration Week 2023 takes place Jan. 14-20 under the theme, "Keep Moving Forward," inspired by King's speech, "Keep Moving from This Mountain," delivered April 10, 1960, in an address at Spelman College in Atlanta.
Presented by Lake Michigan College and sponsors Whirlpool Corp., Corewell Health South (formerly Spectrum Health Lakeland), Kinexus Group, United Way of Southwest Michigan, and Andrews University, this year marks the return of the MLK Celebration and Community Breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 16 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day – in Grand Upton Hall of LMC's Mendel Center.
"Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have not been able to gather in person as a community to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. these past few years," LMC Dean, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Cam Herth said. "While we were able to carry on virtually, bringing our community together on MLK Day to reflect on Dr. Martin Luther King's legacy and teachings has long been a tradition here at Lake Michigan College. We can't wait to see everyone in person again."
The MLK Celebration and Community Breakfast will include an invocation from Dr. Sid Mohn, Interfaith Action Director, and a keynote address by community leader Jerry Price. The kickoff also features inspirational musical performances and the announcement of the Spirit of MLK Spotlight recipients, shining a light on an individual, organization, and student who embody MLK's spirit of brotherhood/sisterhood and love in our community through their direct action.
"The Spirit of MLK Spotlights recognize a small fraction of the incredible work being done right here in our communities," Herth said. "To showcase more of that work, we have added an MLK Community Expo immediately following the breakfast. This provides both an educational opportunity and a chance to learn how to get involved in our community."
The MLK Community Expo highlights area resources, underrepresented businesses, and service opportunities. Organizations scheduled to attend are Unified Civic Monuments Project, United Way of Southwest Michigan, Lake Michigan College Campus Life, Whirlpool Corp., Corewell Health South, Andrews University, Krasl Art Center, Kinexus, Mosaic, Race Relations Council, African American History & Literature Gallery, and more.
Another new event this year is the MLK Choral Festival, which kicks off at 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, in LMC Mendel Center's Hanson Theatre. The Deliverance Mass Choir (Andrews University), The Watchmen, the Second Baptist Church of Benton Harbor, and members of the Lake Michigan College Choirs are scheduled to participate.
The MLK Celebration Week 2023 also features speakers, performances, round table discussions, community service projects, and more.
Events are held at LMC Mendel Center except where noted. Here is the full schedule:
All Week
• United Way of Southwest Michigan 10-day Equity Challenge
• Volunteer Service Opportunities
Saturday, Jan. 14
• MLK Choral Festival, 3 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 15
• Panel Discussion, "Seriousness of Reparation – Crimes Against Humanity," 5 p.m., African American History & Literature Gallery
Monday, Jan. 16
• MLK Celebration and Community Breakfast, 7:30 a.m.
• MLK Community Expo, immediately following the breakfast
• MLK Winter Warmth Drive, 8 a.m.
• MLK Winter Warmth Kit Packing Service Project, 1 p.m.
• MLK Storytime, 4 p.m., Bridgman Public Library
• Panel Discussion, "What Do We Really Know About The Law?", 7 p.m., African American History & Literature Gallery
Tuesday, Jan. 17
• MLK Storytime and All-Day Craft, 10:30 a.m., Coloma Public Library
• MLK Storytime, 10:30 a.m., Three Oaks Township Library
• Letters from MLK, 6:30 p.m., Niles District Library
• Panel Discussion, "Racism & Religion: Are We Practicing What We Preach?", 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 18
• MLK Storytime and Craft, 10:30 a.m., Buchanan District Library
• MLK Storytime and Craft, 10:30 a.m., Niles District Library
• MLK Storytime, 11:30 a.m., Benton Harbor Public Library
• MLK All-Day Craft, Lincoln Township Public Library
• Panel Discussion, "What is Allyship? Neighbors Organizing Against Racism," 7 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 19
• MLK Storytime, 10 a.m., Lake Michigan College Library
• MLK Storytime, 4 p.m., New Buffalo Township Library
• MLK Storytime, 4:30 p.m., Three Oaks Township Library
• Will Haygood, Pre-Speaker Dinner, 5:30 p.m., ticketed event
• "Colorization: One Hundred Years of Black Films in a White World" with Wil Haygood, 7:30 p.m., ticketed event
Friday, Jan. 20
• Saxophonist Erick Oneal Fisher & 3CM Concert, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 21
• MLK Basketball Games, LMC Women vs. Glen Oaks, 1 p.m., LMC Men vs. Glen Oaks, 3 p.m., Lake Michigan College Gym
In addition to these events, several resources also can be found on lakemichigancollege.edu/MLK. These resources include the Underrepresented Businesses Directory, an awareness and equity guide to woman-and-minority-owned businesses in Berrien, Van Buren, and Cass counties; an MLK Resource Gallery for books, podcasts, films, community resources, and more that explore race relations, bias, racism, and current events; and MLK Artistic Reflections, where people can submit their creative reflections about King and his legacy.
Most events are free. To sign-up for individual programs or more information, visit lakemichigancollege.edu/MLK.
For answers to additional questions, contact Sonda Wagner at 269-927-8158 or swagner@lakemichigancollege.edu.
