MLK Celebration

2009 Events

Unless noted, all events are free and open to the public.
Saturday, Jan. 10 Forum with NAACP 6 p.m. Multicultural Center, Trimpe Building Western Michigan University Dr. Lee Jones, president and executive director of Inspire Magazine, will lead a discussion on the social, economic and educational issues the nation faces and their impact within our respective communities. Sunday, Jan. 11 Higher Education Open House 1 to 4:30 p.m. Bernhard Center Ballroom Western Michigan University Open house for high school students and their parents. Those attending will learn about the benefits of going to college, how to take advantage of the Kalamazoo Promise scholarship program and the many educational opportunities available at WMU. High school students will be able to explore different career fields and participate in hands-on activities. Advance registration is requested. You may download a registration form as a Word document or a PDF file. Saturday, Jan. 17 Unity In Action Dinner 5:15 p.m., Program 6 p.m. Lawrence Education Center, Borgess Health 1521 Gull Rd., Kalamazoo Keynote speaker is Dr. Lewis Walker. Sponsors: Borgess Health and Bronson Methodist Hospital Concertmaster Showcase 8 p.m. Miller Auditorium Western Michigan University The Lincoln Bicentennial is observed in the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra’s concert featuring a world premier commissioned by the Michigan Lincoln Bicentennial Committee and the KSO. Tickets start at $5 at the Miller Auditorium Ticket Office, (269) 387-2300. Sunday, Jan. 18 Northside Ministerial Alliance MLK Celebration 4 p.m. Galilee Baptist Church 1216 N. Westnedge Ave., Kalamazoo Bishop John Richard Bryant is the keynote speaker. Monday, Jan. 19, Martin Luther King Jr. Day Communitywide Day of Service 7:30 a.m. registration opens Kalamazoo City Hall 241 W. South St., Kalamazoo Volunteers will report to sites starting at 8:30 a.m. MLK Convocation 10:50 a.m. Stetson Chapel Kalamazoo College Dr. Alton B. Pollard, dean and professor of religion and culture at Howard University School of Divinity, is the keynote speaker. March to MLK Park 3:30 p.m. Kanley Chapel Western Michigan University Marchers depart from Kanley Chapel at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20 Luncheon for Residence Hall Students 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bernhard Center Western Michigan University The MLK luncheon highlights diversity and the need to treat everyone equally and with respect and kindness in the workplace and community. It is open to all residence hall students and will include educational material about Dr. King. Sponsor: WMU Dining Service Diversity Discussion with WMU Alumni of the MLK Era 7 to 9 p.m. Bernhard Center Western Michigan University WMU alumni panelists will engage students in an educational and interactive discussion about life during the time of Dr. King. Sponsor: WMU Student Alumni Association Wednesday, Jan. 21 MLK’s Struggle for Economic Justice, Human Rights and Peace 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bernhard Center, Room 204 Western Michigan University WMU’s Dr. Don Cooney and Dr. Ron Kramer will discuss the last three years of Dr. King’s life as he became an outspoken advocate for social change, specifically for economic justice, human rights and peace. The purpose of this program is to examine his resistance to war and his vision for social justice. The program will feature video excerpts and dramatic readings from Dr. King’s speeches. Sponsor: Kalamazoo Non-violent Opponents of War Thursday, Jan. 22 Teaching About MLK and the Civil Rights Movement 4:30 to 6 p.m. Sangren Hall, Room 2304 Western Michigan University WMU professors and graduate students in the departments of English, history, anthropology and education will hold a presentation and workshops for K-12 teachers and future teachers to develop ideas and resources for connecting the issues of the civil rights movement to students in today’s classrooms. Sponsors: WMU’s departments of English, history and education Monday, Jan. 26 Reclaiming Our Voice and Connecting the Community 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Multicultural Center, Trimpe Building Western Michigan University This film and the discussion following are centered on CNN’s film series “Black in America” and examine its relevance within the context of this year’s theme. WMU’s Dr. Glinda Rawls, Dr. Mark St. Martin and Dr. Mariam Konate Deme will discuss past and present issues facing the African-American community and explore the hopeful prospect of the future. Repeats Wednesday, Jan. 28, same time and location. Tuesday, Jan. 27 Surviving Auschwitz: Children of the Shoah 10 a.m. to noon Galilee Baptist Church 1216 N. Westnedge Ave., Kalamazoo Auschwitz survivor Tova Friedman presents her story of struggle and forgiveness as depicted in this WGVU production. MLK in 1963 and 1968 2 to 5 p.m. Multicultural Center, Trimpe Building Western Michigan University WMU’s Dr. William Santiago-Valles discusses the difference between the ideas of Dr. King in 1963 and 1968 in the areas of economic violence, urban isolation and military intervention in the context of the 2004 film “Citizen King.” Repeats Thursday, Jan. 29, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Douglass Community Association. Wednesday, Jan. 28 Reclaiming Our Voice and Connecting the Community 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Multicultural Center, Trimpe Building Western Michigan University This film and the discussion following are centered on CNN’s film series “Black in America” and examine its relevance within the context of this year’s theme. WMU’s Dr. Glinda Rawls, Dr. Mark St. Martin and Dr. Mariam Konate Deme will discuss past and present issues facing the African-American community and explore the hopeful prospect of the future. Also shown Monday, Jan. 26, same time and location. Thursday, Jan. 29 MLK in 1963 and 1968 6 to 9 p.m. Douglass Community Association Board Room 1000 W. Paterson St., Kalamazoo WMU’s Dr. William Santiago-Valles discusses the difference between the ideas of Dr. King in 1963 and 1968 in the areas of economic violence, urban isolation and military intervention in the context of the 2004 film “Citizen King.” Also Tuesday, Jan. 27, from 2 to 5 p.m. at WMU Multicultural Center. Thursday through Saturday, Jan. 29-31 Workshops Various times Douglass Community Association 1000 W. Paterson St., Kalamazoo WMU Diversity and Multiculturalism Action Plan and Eliminating Racism and Claiming/Celebration Equity Workshop. Thursdays, Jan. 29-Feb. 19 Four Conversations on Forgiveness 6:30 p.m. Kalamazoo Public Library 315 S. Rose St., Kalamazoo Four weekly sessions use the Fetzer Institute’s Four Conversations on Forgiveness materials to explore the topic. The facilitator is Barry Burnside from Gryphon Place. Sponsor: Kalamazoo Public Library Monday, Feb. 2, through Friday, March 13 Forgiveness Explorations Noon to 1 p.m. Various Kalamazoo locations A series of lunch-hour explorations at various locations throughout the area. Check www.seasonofforgiveness.org for dates and locations. For more information, contact Thom Andrews at (269) 370-3951. Tuesday, Feb. 3 Cultural Competence in Research and Evaluation Noon to 1 p.m. Evaluation Center, Ellsworth Hall, Room 4405 Western Michigan University A look at the Kalamazoo Wraps program and how researchers and evaluators develop inclusive, culturally competent studies where a wide variety of prospects are heard. Kalamazoo Wraps is a federally funded initiative to provide culturally competent, community-based services to children with mental health issues and their families. Wednesday Feb. 4 Legacy and Legitimacy: African Americans and the Supreme Court 3:30 p.m. Friedmann Hall, Room 3301 Western Michigan University A look at the nature of African Americans’ unique relationship with the U.S. Supreme Court. Sponsor: WMU Institute of Government and Politics Beginning Feb. 9 Classroom presentations for Kalamazoo Public Schools Various times and locations WMU's Career English Language Center for International Students will send its members to KPS elementary schools to share their culture with American students. Sponsor: CELCIS Wednesday, March 18 Forgive for Good 7 p.m. Fetzer Center Western Michigan University Keynote address by Dr. Fred Luskin, director of the Stanford Forgiveness Projects, an ongoing series of workshops and research projects that investigate the effectiveness of his forgiveness methods on a variety of populations. Friday, March 27 Nobel Peace Prize Speech 7:30 p.m. Bernhard Center Western Michigan University Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Jody Williams will speak as part of the Great Lakes PeaceJam Spring Conference. Saturday, March 28 Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Concert 7 p.m. Prelude, 8 p.m. Concert Miller Auditorium Western Michigan University The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, WMU alumna and opera star Susan B. Anthony and the WMU Grand Chorus will present Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, featuring the “Ode to Joy” fourth movement. Tickets start at $5 at the Miller Auditorium Ticket Office, (269) 387-2300.

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