MLK Day Events Roundup For Metro Detroit
DETROIT (CBS Detroit) Monday, Jan, 21, 2013 isn't just a day off school and work -- It's an opportunity to share the life and legacy of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
There's a full roster of events in and around the city of Detroit to celebrate the remarkable life of the man who changed the face of American culture and society.
City Of Detroit
Everyone is invited to gather at Central United Methodist Church, 23 E Adams, beginning at noon Monday, Jan. 21, 2013, to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. A march begins from there at 1:30 p.m.
This year's march and rally will represent the 10th annual commemoration held at the Historic Central United Methodist Church. This is the church where Dr. King delivered his annual Lent sermons and preached three weeks prior to his assassination on April 4, 1968.
2013 marks the 50th anniversary of the "Great March to Freedom" in Detroit where 250,000 or more walked down Woodward Avenue demanding jobs and civil rights. This demonstration held on June 23, 1963, was the scene where Dr. King delivered his first "I Have a Dream" speech at Cobo Hall. Later that summer on August 28, the historic "March on Washington" was held and Dr. King once again reiterated his dream of equality and freedom.
The call for 2013 is "Renew the Struggle for Jobs, Peace and Justice to Eradicate the Triple Evils of War, Racism and Poverty."
This year's program will feature presentations from various organizations and activists in Detroit and nationally. Rev. C.D. Witherspoon, Baltimore President of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), the organization founded by Dr. King in 1957, will be the keynote speaker. Rev. Witherspoon is a leading activist in the struggle against police brutality in Baltimore.
Other speakers will include: anti-foreclosure attorneys Vanessa Fluker and Jerome Goldberg, Prof. Charles Simmons and Sandra Simmons of Hush House as well as Rev. Ed Rowe, Pastor of Central United Methodist Church, who will deliver the invocation.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Senior High School March
This school in Detroit is holding the 4th Annual Legacy March to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This year's theme is "From Dreams to Reality."
The march will be held Monday, Jan. 21, at Martin Luther King, Jr. Senior High School, 3200 East Lafayette, Detroit. The doors open at 8:30 a.m. for exhibits and tours. At 9:15 AM a program featuring music and dance performances from King students and Detroit's educational leadership will focus on Dr. King's teachings of non-violence and how we can apply that to everyday conflict resolution. Former and current and former King students, other Detroit students and individuals from Michigan who have made the dream a reality will be showcased. The program will be hosted by Detroit radio legend Ms. Frankie Darcell.
Participants marching will assemble in front of the school at 10 a.m. for the 1.5 mile celebratory journey.
For those who can't march, there will be in school tours of exhibits, interactive displays and discussions with former Freedom Bus Riders and others about the civil rights struggles. Commemorative buttons and keepsake stones will be given to marchers until the supply is exhausted.
For additional information, to serve as a volunteer or to register your group, contact co-chairs, Mr. Michael Joseph and Ms. Karinda Washington at 313-355-4154 or the school at 313-494-7373. You may also email mlklegacymarchdetroit@yahoo.com.
Second Baptist Church of Detroit
The church is presenting "Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr." to honor the memory of Dr. King Jr. on his holiday. The program will be held at the church, located at 441 Monroe (near Greektown) in downtown Detroit at 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 21. The public is welcomed to attend this free event. Refreshments will be served following the program.
"Once again, an exciting and enlighten program is planned, this year" said Ms. Betty Price, program chairperson.
Ms. Kathleen Hatke Aro, president of the Accounting Aid Society (AAS), one of the oldest income tax help programs in the U.S., will be the speaker. The AAS staff and volunteers have helped struggling families file for and receive tax refunds and credits totaling more than $238 million, during her tenure.
The featured entertainment for the program will include: the Divine Revelations Liturgical Dancers, the Chrysler Elementary School Choir and the Male Choir of Second Baptist Church.
Free validated parking will be available at 1001 Brush Street (between Monroe and E. Lafayette). Also, limited parking will be available at the rear of the church. For more information please call Deacon Charity Hall, President of the Board of Christian Social Concerns, at 313- 377-0066.
Pontiac All Saints' Episcopal Church
From 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013, All Saints' will host a free dinner for the neighboring community in remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday. Located at 171 W. Pike Street near downtown Pontiac, All Saints' has a long and distinguished history of serving the community so parishioners said it's no surprise that it would choose to honor Dr. King by inviting area residents to dinner.
"A church is made up not just of the people who come on Sunday. The neighborhood outside our doors are a part of our community, and inviting folks to dinner is one of the best ways I know of getting to know people better", Rev. Karen Johanns, rector of All Saints' observed.
To get more information about the dinner, contact the church at 248.334.4571 or normawarner@allsaintspontiac.org.
Farmington Hills Community Activities
The community celebration begins at 9 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 21, where participants will gather at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church 28000 New Market Rd., and walk to the Main Library for events.
Events in the Main Library auditorium, 32737 West 12 Mile Road, will include a 10:15 a.m. welcome from Farmington/Farmington Hills government and school officials, a concert by the O.E. Dunckel Middle School Choir, a 10:45 a.m. reenactment by Rudy Barker, Living History Performer, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech.
At 11:30 a.m., poet Ber-Henda Williams, founder of Poetry, Pages and Scribes, a monthly poetry series, will take the stage, followed at 1 p.m. by music and stories presented by Audrey and Bob Allison, The Storytellers, a 2 p.m. performance by the Harrison High School Dance Company.
People will be invited to make Valentines for seniors and donate non-perishable food items for local service organizations.
Wayne State University
Former U.S. representative Harold Ford Jr. will deliver the keynote address during Wayne State University's annual Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute luncheon. The event, which brings together the metro Detroit community to celebrate and honor the life and legacy of King, kicks off at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 22, at the Max M. Fisher Music Center, located at 3711 Woodward Ave. in Detroit.
Ford served Tennessee in the U.S. Congress for 10 years on both the financial services and budget committees. He is the managing director and senior client relationship manager at Morgan Stanley, a news analyst for NBC and MSNBC, and a professor of public policy at the New York University Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.
Net proceeds from the event will support Adopt-A-Classroom, a nationally recognized organization that raises funds to help teachers purchase resources for their classrooms. The university, in partnership with its sponsors, has donated more than $33,000 to support the organization's local giving efforts.
The tribute also includes a presentation of the Dr. Arthur L. Johnson Community Leadership Awards. This year's recipients are WSU Associate Professor of Urban Planning Kami Pothukuchi, the WSU Student Veterans Organization and Raising Our Community's Knowledge. The awards, named after late civil rights leader and Wayne State administrator Arthur L. Johnson, honor individuals and organizations — nominated by the public — whose contributions positively affect the community.
Tickets are $10 for the program only, or $65 for the program with strolling luncheon. Parking is free. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.wayne.edu/communityengagement/mlk or call 313-577-5284.
Redford Township
A prayer breakfast on Monday, Jan. 21, will include students from the Redford Union Madrigal Chorale and South Redford's Drama Club, storyteller Gwendolyn Lewis and harpist Siobhan McKinney. It happens 7 to 9 a.m. at St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church, 27101 West Chicago, Redford, with breakfast provided by the Men's Club and students busing tables.
Rev. Dr. Anthony Johnson of Prayer Temple Missionary Baptist Church will be the featured speaker. The Redford Ministerial Alliance, The Charter Township of Redford and the Redford Township Democratic Club are the sponsors of this breakfast.
The cost of this event is $8 per person, tables of 8 will be $60, plus a personal care item. A11 items and the price
of admission will be donated to the Redford Interfaith Relief Food Pantry.
For additional information, contact Theresa Burgess at 313-387-2787.
The Henry Ford in Dearborn
In collaboration with the Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR), and in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, The Henry Ford Museum will host the "With Liberty and Justice for All" symposium on Jan. 21, with special keynote speaker, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author, Leonard Pitts Jr. Through a sponsorship with Target, admission to The Henry Ford will be free to all guests throughout the day.
Leonard Pitts Jr. will deliver his keynote address titled "Flesh, Blood and Dreams – the Myths and Reality of Martin Luther King Jr.," beginning at 10 a.m. Directly following his address on Dr. King's legacy, he will engage with a panel of students about their view of civil rights today, along with a Q&A session with the audience. The student panelists are representatives of the MDCR Youth Academy.
Guests can also tour the "With Liberty and Justice for All" exhibit, take part in the pledge your service activity or climb aboard the Rosa Parks Bus. All programming will take place inside the Museum Plaza. For more information on Martin Luther King Jr. Day activities visit http://www.thehenryford.org/events/symposium.aspx or call 313-982-6001.
DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital, Detroit
From 11 a.m. to noon on Monday, Jan 21, visitors are invited to stop by the hospital for a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. memorial service led by Solomon Kinloch, pastor of Triumph Church. Poet Jessica Cara Moore will give a special presentation.
The event -- and parking -- is free and boxed lunches will be provided free for the first 100 visitors.
The hospital is located at 6071 West Outer Drive, Detroit.
Romulus
The city of Romulus, Romulus Community Schools and the Romulus Ministerial Alliance are coming together again to honor the life of Martin Luther King, Jr.. This year will mark the 14th anniversary of the Romulus Community's celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. and it will be held on Monday, January 21, 2013. The theme for this year's celebration is "Moving Forward: Making Humanity a Career."
The community celebration will commence with a unity march a 8 a.m. down Wick Rd. to Wayne Road, from Romulus Middle School to Romulus Senior High School. After the march, breakfast will be served in the high school cafeteria. A ceremony will begin at 9:30 a.m. in the high school auditorium. The ceremony will include students and participants from the Romulus School District, religious leaders, and city, county and state officials. The keynote speaker will be Pastor Nelson Anthony Henry, a life coach and motivational speaker.
The purpose of this event is to allow people of the community to come together and celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr. All are welcome to attend. Parking will be available at either Romulus Middle School, 37300 Wick Road, Romulus or at Romulus High School, 9650 S. Wayne Road, Romulus. A shuttle bus will be provided to transport participants to Romulus Middle School from the high school parking lot, before the walk, starting at 7 a.m.
