Week’s events honor MLK
Activities begin Monday with CommUNITY Peace Brunch, march and vigil
The legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will unite the Central Michigan University community once again in the days ahead.
CMU will honor the national King holiday — Monday, Jan. 20, this year — with a week of celebration and reflection organized by Multicultural Academic Student Services.
A highlight of the week is Wednesday's keynote address by Shakti Butler, president and founder of World Trust Educational Services, a nonprofit transformative educational organization. She will speak at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Warriner Hall's Plachta Auditorium.
The week begins with hundreds expected to gather in Finch Fieldhouse for the annual CommUNITY Peace Brunch at 9:30 a.m. Monday. The event features finalists in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Oratorical Contest and performances by Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and the Christ Central Choir. The keynote speaker will be Mimi Gonzalez-Barillas, diversity communications specialist in CMU's Office for Institutional Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Doors open at 8:45 a.m.
Faculty, staff and students also are invited to the following events:
- Day of Service: Noon-2 p.m. Monday, hosted by the Mary Ellen Brandell Volunteer Center. RSVP on Engage Central.
- CommUNITY Peace March and Vigil: 3-4:30 p.m. Monday, starting at the Bovee University Center and ending in downtown Mount Pleasant. Transportation back to campus is provided, along with hot chocolate and doughnuts for returning marchers.
- Night of Reflection: 7 p.m. Tuesday in Anspach Hall 161, hosted by The Motions poetry organization.
- Keynote speaker Shakti Butler: 7 p.m. Wednesday in Warriner Hall's Plachta Auditorium, co-sponsored by Program Board.
- Tunnel of Oppression: 4-8 p.m. Thursday in the Bovee University Center, sponsored by A Mile in Our Shoes and supported by Enrollment and Student Services.
- Charity basketball game: 6 p.m. Friday at the Student Activity Center. Donations will be accepted.