Welcome to the 2009 MLK Celebration!

Welcome to the 2009 Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday celebration blogspot for Grant County, Indiana!

We invite you to take part in the Martin Luther King Jr. community-wide celebration here in Grant County, Indiana. We are celebrating his life and his legacy as highlighted through unity, peace and equality.

Browse the posts below to find out all about the events taking place this year. Come out and be part of the celebration here in Grant County.

For more information about any of the information or events, please contact us at celebratemlk@gmail.com. We'd love to hear from you!

History of the MLK Holiday

On April 8, 1968, Michigan Congressman John Conyers first introduced legislation for a commemorative MLK holiday four days after King was assassinated in 1968. After the bill became stalled, petitions endorsing the holiday containing six million names were submitted to Congress. Conyers and Rep.Shirley Chisholm of New York, resubmitted King holiday legislation each subsequent legislative session. Public pressure for the holiday mounted during the 1982 and 1983 civil rights marches in Washington.

On November 3, 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed a bill toestablish the third Monday in January as Martin Luther King, Jr. National Holiday, and it was set to begin in 1986.

On August 27, 1984, President Reagan signed legislation providing the MLK Federal Holiday Commission to establish the holiday for a term of 5 years with an option to renew.

MLK Day was first celebrated on January 20, 1986, which makes this the 23rd year of celebration!

On August 23, 1994, President Bill Clinton signed the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday and Service Act. He expanded the mission of the holiday to include a focus on community service, interracial reconciliation and youth anti-violence initiatives.

In cooperation with the spirit of the MLK Jr. Federal Holiday and Service Act, all celebration activities include festivities that harmonize with the purposes of the holiday.

Plato said, “Whatever a culture honors, it cultivates.” We havelabored to honor the legacy of unity, peace, and equality topreserves its fruits in future generations.

MLK, Jr. Celebration 2009 Schedule of Events

Friday, January 16
MLK Celebration Kick-Off
IWU Phillipe Auditorium
7:00pm

Saturday, January 17
MLK Oratorical Contest
Five Points Mall, formerly North Park Mall
(JcPenney entrance)
1:00pm

Celebration of Nations
Five Points Mall, formerly North Park Mall
(JcPenney entrance)
2:00pm

Sunday, January 18
Ministerial Alliance's MLK Scholarship Awards
St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church
4:00pm

Monday, January 19
Talk to a Lawyer Today!
Free legal advice from the Grant County Bar Association
Clarence Faulkner Center, 12th & Western Ave.
10:00am - 2:00 pm

Indiana Wesleyan University Chapel
Speaker: Latrese Moffitt
IWU Phillippe Auditorium
10:00am & 11:05am

Taylor University Chapel
Speaker: Bryan Lorrits
Taylor University Rediger Auditorium
10:00am

Taylor University Workshops
1:30pm and 3:00 pm
* Chicago Sunshine Gospel Ministries
* Race and Pop Culture in American
* Black Power, White Privilege and the Hope of Reconciliation - Negoitiating the Barriers
* Q & A Session with Bryan Loritts
* Reconstruction and the long road to the Election of 2008
* To be Multiracial in America

Speak Out: Past politically correct, just real talk
IWU Student Center Commons
7:00pm

Kit McClure Band
Taylor University Rediger Auditorium
7:30pm
Tickets: $8 adults $5 students (Call 765-998-5289 for more information)

Tuesday, January 20
Presidential Inauguration
IWU Student Center Commons
Live tv coverage all day

Details for each of the MLK Celebration 2009 events are listed below.

MLK, Jr. Celebration Kick-Off!

Friday, January 26, 2009
IWU Phillippe Auditorium
7:00pm

Kick Off the MLK, Jr. Holiday in Grant County with an atmosphere of celebration and recognition in honor of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The evening's program includes a variety of talent, sharing, and bestowing of appreciation upon many from our Grant County community. Shirley Barbour and Carol Secttor will serve as the MC's for the evening. The Marion Police Department and the GCSD Honor Guard will perform the presentation of colors. The IWU Brass Quintet will lead in "The Star Spangled Banner". Special presentations will be offered by His Splendor United Ministry of Dance, the Marion high school Black History Club, the Upland Children's Choir, Taylor University Professor, Dr. Shederick Whipple, and Taylor and Indiana Wesleyan's Gospel Choirs. In addition, the 3rd annual MLK Legacy Awards will be presented to members of the community who have given their time and talents to living out the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the Grant County community.

We hope to see you at this year's MLK, Jr. Kick-Off Celebration!

The MLK, Jr. Kick-Off will be broadcast on WIWU TV51 as follows:
Monday, January 19 @ 7:00pm, 9:00pm, and 11:00pm
Tuesday, January 20 @ 9:00pm
Wednesday, January 21 @ 6:00pm
Thursday, January 22 @ 8:00pm
Friday, January 23 @ 5:00pm
Saturday, January 24 @ 8:00pm

MLK, Jr. Celebration Oratorical Contest

Saturday, January 17, 2009
Five Points Mall, formerly North Park Mall
(JcPenny entrance)
1:00pm

The MLK, Jr. Celebration will host an Oratorical Contest for the youth of Grant County to give them an opportunity to take an active role in the tribute and celebration of Dr. King. The theme and speech topic for the contest is "WHY WAS THE WORK OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. IMPORTANT TO THIS GENERATION?"
The contest is open to any student ages 15-20. Interested students must prepare an 8-10 minute organized oral presentation. Three prizes will be awared: 1st Prize - $100, 2nd Prize - $50, 3rd Prize - $25.

Any interested parents or students should contact Tanya Smith at thealthy007@sbcglobal.net to register and recieve more detailed information.

MLK, Jr. Celebration of Nations

Saturday, January 17, 2009
Five Points Mall, formerly North Park Mall
(JcPenney entrance)
2:00pm

The Celebration of Nations is back!

Celebration of Nations will be a small fair that highlights the cultures of members of our Grant County community. The fair will include cultural booths that display pictures and artifacts of various cultures. Local students will share about their cultural heritages and family customs. There will be a fashion show and food samples.
Come out and be a part of the Celebration of Nations.

If you have further questions about this event, or would like to participate, please contact Lisa Padilla at lil_latinsugar@yahoo.com .

Ministerial Alliance's MLK Scholarship Awards

Sunday, January 18, 2009
St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church
4:00pm

This is a great time of praise and celebration!
The Ministerial Alliance annually highlights the importance of education, thus continuing to fulfill the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in our own community. Every year, various organizations within Grant County generously donate to the MLK Community Educational Scholarship Fun. These gifts are then given as scholarships by the Ministerial Alliance to serveral deserving Marion high school seniors who excel in academics, leadership, community service and church involvement. Student can use the scholarship to study at the college or university of their choice.
Join us as we highlight these wonderful students within our community.

Talk to a Lawyer Today!

Monday, January 19, 2009
Clarence Faulkner Center (12th St. & Western Ave.)
10:00am- 2:00pm

Got Questions? Ask a Lawyer!
Free service provided by the Grant County Bar Association. Come and get answers to your legal questions from licensed lawyers. No appointments needed. Questions will be handled on a first come, first serve basis. All information is free and confidential.
For more information, contact Dana Kenworthy with the Grant County Bar Association.

Taylor University MLK Chapel - Bryan Lorrits

Monday, January 19, 2009
Taylor University Rediger Auditorium
10:00am

Bryan is the Lead Pastor of Fellowship Bible Church - Memphis, in Tennessee- a multicultural church ministering to the evolving community of urban Memphis. Bryan has also served as an adjunct professor at Crichton College.
He will speak to the students of Taylor University as their Chapel speaker and then stick around for a Q & A Session during the workshop sessions.

The community is encouraged to come and take part in Taylor University's MLK Chapel.

For more information on Bryan Lorrits, visit http://www.taylor.edu/academics/specialprograms/mlk/speakers.shtml

Taylor University Workshops

Monday, January, 19, 2009
Taylor University
1:30pm and 3:00pm (unless otherwise noted)

Black Power, White Privilege, and the Hope for Reconciliation - Negotiating the Barriers

Led by: Michelle Deardorff

Location: Recital Hall

Reconstruction and the Long Road to the Election of 2008

Led by: Dr. Steve Messer

Location: MMVA 005

Race and Popular Culture in America

Led by: Steve Austin and Josh Canada

Location: MMVA 002

To Be Multiracial in America

A Panel Discussion

Location: Mitchell Theater

(at 1:30pm only)

Chicago Sunshine Gospel Ministries

Led by: Joel Hamernick

Location: Rupp 203

Q & A Session with Bryan Lorrits

Led by Bryan Lorrits

Location: Mitchell Theatre

(at 3:00pm only)



For more workshop description, please check ou the Taylor University website

http://www.taylor.edu/academics/specialprograms/mlk/workshops.shtml

Speak Out: Let's Talk About It

Monday, January 19, 2009
Indiana Wesleyan University
Student Center Commons
7:00pm

This year's Speak Out event at Indiana Wesleyan University seeks to give persons the opportunity to go beyond hiding behind what is politically correct and share openly and honestly with one another in love for the purpose of mutual understanding and edification.

SPEAK OUT will have a panel/audience format. The panelists will begin our time by sharing their personal stories and experiences. They will serve to represent a variety of perspectives regarding cultural and diversity-related issues such as: immigration, race and ethnicity, religious diversity, Presidential politics, prejudice and stereotypes, sexism, the Church and multiculturalism, reconciliation and unity, global issues, self-identity, privilege and power, etc.

Following panelist sharing, audience conversation and questions will then be invited. It is our hope that this would be a time of open and honest dialogue that will open the hearts of our IWU community to the realities of the Body of Christ.

The Grant County community is encouraged to come and join in the discussion.

For additional information regarding Speak Out, please contact the Intercultural Student Services Department at 765-677-1480 or by email at iss.office@indwes.edu

Kit McClure Band

Monday, January 19, 2009

Taylor University

Rediger Auditorium

7:30pm

Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for students

The Kit McClure band's music ranges from transcriptions of Frank Sinatra and Duke Ellington's popular works to the soulful grooves of Aretha Franklin, James Brown and Beyonce. As a dance orchestra the Kit McClure Band has enlivened ballrooms across the USA, including the inaugural ball of President Clinton. Most recently, the band has been featured at the Kennedy Center and the JVC Jass Festival in New York City.

For more information regarding ticket sales, please call (765) 998-5289.

Presidential Inauguration

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Indiana Wesleyan University

Student Center Commons

Live tv Broadcast All Day

Come join us in the IWU Student Center and watch the live broadcast of the Inauguration of the 44th President of the United States, Barak Obama.

Political affiliations aside, may we come together as a community as celebrate history- the first African-American president of the United States.

Paul urges, "that entreaties and prayer, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior..." - I Timothy 2:1-3

MLK, Jr. Corporate Sponsors

Thank you to all of our Corporate Sponsors who have generously given to make the MLK, Jr. Celebration 2009 a success.

Chronicle-Tribune
Hands of Hope/ Family Service Society, Inc.
Indiana Wesleyan University
Minority Heatlth Coalition of Grant County
Five Points Mall, formerly North Park Mall
Taylor University
WalMart Distribution Center

Questions? Celebratemlk@gmail.com

If you have questions, need more information, want to join or donate to the Grant County Martin Luther King, Jr. Communitywide Celebration Committee, please email us at celebratemlk@gmail.com.

We'd love to hear from you!

Welcome, Everyone!

Welcome, Everyone!

We officially invite you to take part in our Martin Luther King, Jr. community-wide celebration here in Grant County, Indiana. We are celebrating his life and his legacy of passion for unity, peace, and equality.

On April 8, 1968, Congressman John Conyers introduced legislation to make Martin Luther King Day a federal holiday.

On November 3, 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed a bill to
establish the third Monday in January as Martin Luther King, Jr.
National Holiday, and it was set to begin in 1986.

On August 27, 1984, President Reagan signed legislation providing the MLK Federal Holiday Commission to establish the holiday for a term of 5 years with an option to renew.

MLK Day was first celebrated on January 20, 1986, which makes this the 23rd year of celebration!

On August 23, 1994, President Bill Clinton signed the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday and Service Act. He expanded the mission of the holiday to include a focus on community service, interracial reconciliation and youth anti-violence initiatives.

In cooperation with the spirit of the MLK Jr. Federal Holiday and Service Act, all celebration activities include festivities that harmonize with the purposes of the holiday.

Plato said, “Whatever a culture honors, it cultivates.” We have
labored to honor the legacy of unity, peace, and equality to
preserves its fruits in future generations.

MLK Celebration Team 2008

MLK Celebration Events Schedule

Friday, January 18
7pm
MLK Kick Off Celebration
IWU Phillippe Performing Arts Center

Saturday, January 19
11am-2pm
MLK Health Fair & Fun Fair
Clarence Faulkner Center, 12th & Western Ave.

Sunday, January 20
4pm
Join us as we support the
Ministerial Alliance’s MLK Scholarship Awards
St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, 14th & Western Ave.

8pm
DaFilled Christian Rap Concert
Taylor University Rediger Auditorium

Monday, January 21
7:30am
Community Leadership Breakfast

9am-noon
“Ask a Lawyer” Free Legal Advice
Licensed attorneys of Grant County Bar Association
Clarence Faulkner Center, 12th & Western Avenue

10 & 11:05am
IWU Chapel with Rev. Melvin Bray
IWU Phillippe Performing Arts Center

11am
Taylor University Chapel with Efrem Smith
Taylor University Chapel

1:30pm
Taylor University Workshops
* Liberty and Equality from Jefferson to Lincoln to King to You and Me
* And Have Not Love
* Jesus of Suburbia
* All in the Family
* When Cultures Collide
* Understanding Sunni and Shia Relationships

7:00pm
Speak Out: Let’s Talk About It
IWU Student Center Commons

8:00pm
MLK Day Theatre: Shake Hands with the Devil
Taylor University Recital Hall

Friday, January 25
7:30pm
Jazz Rhapsody: Connye Florance
IWU Phillippe Performing Arts Center

MLK Kick-Off Celebration!

Friday, January 18

7pm @ IWU Philippe Performing Arts Center

Kick off the weekend with an evening of celebration with international appeal! Come to experience the atmosphere of singing and celebration as we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Various groups of artistic talent will perform: RaChelle Fears-Neal’s noaJ llessuR Ministry of Interpretive Movement and Dance, Lakeview’s Kids of Praise, Lisa Padilla’s Into Salsa Dance Company, IWU and Taylor University Gospel Choirs, and opera singer by Dr. Shederick Whipple. Our 2nd Annual MLK Legacy Awards will be presented to those who have continuously given their time and talent to living the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The evening will be hosted by Alex Huskey and Jim Lutrell, who will also introduce an educational piece on unity and why we celebrate.

MLK Health Fair & Fun Fair

Saturday, January 19
11:00am – 2pm @ Clarence Faulkner Center
12th & Western Avenue

A family friendly event in honor of the MLK holiday held at our local community center. Bring the family and enjoy free health information and MLK education through crafts, games, and ethnic reading experiences. Admission is free. Refreshments will be available compliments of WalMart Distribution Center and local church donations.

Ministerial Alliance's MLK Scholarship Awards

Sunday, January 20
4pm @ St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church
14th & Western Avenue

Join us as we support the Ministerial Alliance in their efforts to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by awarding momentary scholarships to deserving students within our local community pursuing higher educational opportunities. We’ll also enjoy the sounds of the MLK choir.

Da Filled Rap Concert

Sunday, January 20
8pm @ Taylor University Rediger Auditorium

Christian Rap Group Da Filled will perform at Taylor University.
Free admission.

IWU & Taylor University Community Leadership Breakfast

Monday, January 21
7:30 am
Invitation Only, Reservations Required

"Ask a Lawyer" Day

Monday, January 21
9am-noon @ Clarence Faulkner Center
12th & Western Avenue

Got Questions? Ask a Lawyer! Free service provided by the Grant County Bar Association. Come and get answers to your legal questions from licensed lawyers. No appointments needed. Questions will be handled on a first come, first serve basis. All information is free and confidential.

IWU Chapel with Rev. Melvin Bray

Monday, January 21
10:00am & 11:05am @ IWU Phillippe Performing Arts Center

Reverend Melvin Bray shares his poetic style of ministry with the unique ability to create parables by merging life circumstances with biblical text advocating for the next generation. http://hometraining.melvinbray.com/

Taylor University Chapel with Efrem Smith

Monday, January 21
11:00 am @ Taylor University

Join the Taylor University faculty, staff and students for services featuring music by the Taylor University Gospel Choir and guest minster Efrem Smith. Pastor, author and national conference speaker, Efrem Smith, broadcasts a weekly message on the issues that keep reconciliation from happening between people, races and the church. Pastor Smith investigates how racial issues, marriage breakdowns, and broken relationships in friendships keep people from experiencing the best God has to offer them.

MLK Workshops at Taylor University

Monday, January 21
1:30pm & 3:00pm @ Taylor University

Liberty and Equality from Jefferson to Lincoln to King to You and Me
Wes Rediger
Modelle Metcalf 005
1:30 PM and 3:00 PM
View equality from 1776 to 2008 through original writings of Jefferson, Lincoln and King to today’s headlines and our personal relationships. Is it a concept or a lifestyle - based in Scripture or self-evident?

And Have Not Love
Martell Hixson and Noel Ritter
Rupp 203-205
1:30 PM and 3:00 PM
This workshop, based on 1 Corinthians 13:3-7, discusses how human beings tend to serve others in ways that are not necessarily loving, but rather self-seeking.

Jesus of Suburbia
Michael Hammond
Recital Hall
1:30 PM and 3:00 PM
This workshop explores the creation of suburbs, the commercialization of evangelicals, and how racial attitudes and de facto segregation may and may not be linked.

All In the Family
Dr. Mike Jessup
Modelle Metcalf 002
1:30 PM and 3:00 PM
This presentation highlights how African Americans, Hispanics/Latino, and Asian-Americans all frame racial reconciliation differently, and how racial reconciliation is much more multidimensional and theologically rich than expected.

When Cultures Collide – Panel Discussion
Jodi and Rukshan Fernando, Alyssa and Josh Canada, and Felicia and Dr. Jeremy CaseMitchell
Theater
1:30 PM only
These couples share candidly about their experiences (dating, marriage, in-laws, and other relationships) as interracial couples in today’s society and how they interact from two different cultures.

Understanding Sunni and Shia Relationships
Fouad Masri
Ayres 215
3:00 PM only
Most American evangelicals are unfamilar with the Muslim world in general, let alone the nuances that have existed for centuries. This workshop will discuss similarities and differences between Sunni and Shia Muslims, two main sub-groups within Islam, and address whether or not reconciliation between these groups, political or otherwise, can be achieved.

Speak Out: Let's Talk About It

Monday, January 21

7:00pm @ IWU Commons

Conversations about people, cultures, experiences, why’s and why not’s. Everyday questions, everyday life. Come make your voice heard during this panel discussion of IWU students and faculty. Free admission. Public welcome.

Jazz Rhapsody: Connye Florence

Friday, January 25
7:30PM @ IWU Philippe Performing Art Center

Don’t miss this southern songbird’s tribute to the legacy of jazz. Jazz Rhapsody immerses the audience in a joyful musical journey through life, love and heritage…all painted in the brilliant colors of jazz. Featuring works by Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Langston Hughes, Frank Loesser, Wendolyn Bennett and other jazz icons, this show inspires with a unique fusion of classic and original jazz, spoken worked and intimately staged theatre.

Connye Florance had enjoyed 23 years of a professional vocalist and actress, performing across the country. In 2000, BET honored her as “Jazz Vocalist of the Year”.

Tickets are on sale at the PPAC ticket office. $10 adults, $7 high school students, $5 IWU students, $5 children (11yrs and younger).

MLK Corporate Sponsors

Thank you to all our corporate sponsors who have given generously to make this year's MLK Celebration a reality and success!

2008 MLK Corporate Sponsors:
Chronicle-Tribune
City of Marion, Human Relations Commission
Indiana Wesleyan University
Mayor's Commission on Domestic Violence
Minority Health Coalition
Taylor University
WalMart Distribution Center
Zion Mortgage Solutions

MLK Celebration Team 2008

The MLK Celebration Team is a collection of active citizens working hard to promote and honor the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Our fearless leader is Sanya Small.

The MLK Celebration Team 2008 includes:
Nancy Coscia, IWU Student Development
April Evans, City of Marion Human Relations Commission
RaChelle Fears-Neal, noaJ llessuR Dance
Garrison Lloyd, IWU Upward Bound
Katherine Hardacre, Community Foundation
Herb Hughs, IWU Upward Bound
Latrese Moffitt, IWU Intercultural Student Services
Scott Murphy, WalMart Distribution Center
Lisa Padilla, Into Salsa Dance Company of Indianapolis
Allynn Samuel, IWU Intercultural Student Services
Sanya Small, Zion Mortgage Solutions
Sherie Smith, Chronicle-Tribune
Tanya Smith, Minority Health Coalition
Cathy Weatherspoon, Taylor University Leadership Development
Ipi Williams, YMCA
Linda Wilk, Family Services

We invite you to consider joining the MLK Celebration Team. We need expertise in all areas to succeed. Email us at celebratemlk@gmail.com

Questions? Celebratemlk@gmail.com

If you have questions, need more information, want to join the Celebration Team, would like to donate, or need to contact us for any other reason, we would love to hear from you!

Email us at celebratemlk@gmail.com