Students wishing to celebrate the life and achievements of Martin Luther King Jr. will have the opportunity next week as the University hosts a series of events honoring the civil rights leader.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee, part of the Multicultural Resource Center, is responsible for the free events which will be held throughout the week.
"I feel like the society that we live in today is a result of Dr. Kings work," said Ginny Adair, assistant director for multicultural clubs and organizations. "Seeing how one person's dream and passion can influence a community is really something to celebrate."
The series of events begins Monday with "Into the Streets," a day of student volunteer service sponsored by the Dean of Students. Participants will meet in the Cone University Center's Lucas Room at 9 a.m. before spreading to places, such as Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation, Crisis Assistance Ministry, University Adult Care and Alexander Youth Network. The goal of the event is to have at least 50 students volunteer.
"We're going out to five different agencies in Charlotte to promote community," said Adair. "Dr. King believed in helping the community, and he challenged people to look to how they can help now and in the future. We are going to give students the opportunity to do so."
Students interested in participating should contact Alia King at 704-687-2541 or amking1@uncc.edu.
An essay and spoken word showcase will take place Tuesday which will give students a chance to express their feelings about King. The event will be hosted by the Black Student Union and will take place at 7 p.m. in the Cone Center's AfterHours.
Wednesday, a vendor fair will be held in the Cone Center Breezeway that will display ethnic art, clothing, jewelry and crafts from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m
A discussion will be held in the Barnhardt Student Activity Center Salons Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. The "Carrying the Torch" discussion will include guest panelists Charlotte civil rights attorney James Ferguson and the DeLane brothers, activists in the Brown v. Board of Education decision. The group will be speaking on the importance of continued activism in civil rights.
UNC Charlotte alumnus Henry Williams will be speaking about the past, present and future of King's dream Thursday at 7 p.m. in Cone Center's McKnight Hall. Williams played basketball for the University, and after graduating, he played 10 years in Italy. Williams was named one of the 2004 Alumni Award, and is now the pastor of New Zion Missionary Baptist Church.
The week of events will be topped off Friday night with the Black and White Celebration Ball, held in the AfterHours at 7 p.m. The dance will feature University jazz professors Will Campbell and David Dinkley.
Last year, the Multicultural Resource Center hosted a number of events such as a panel discussion unity march, a showing of the film "A Long Walk Home." This year's film is "Get on the Bus," a story of several black men on a cross-country bus trip to the Million Man March.
Through the week, students can view a timeline exhibit in Cone Center, 210 made of black and white photos from civil rights events. The display will be open from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. all week.
"The committee has worked really hard to bring a wide array of events to students," said Adair. "There will be several different ways for them to celebrate Dr. King's life."
