Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is celebrated each year on the third Monday of January as a commemoration marking the birthday of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., whose real birthday is on January 15.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was the chief spokesman for nonviolent activism in the civil rights movement, which successfully protested racial discrimination in federal and state law. The campaign for a federal holiday in King’s honor began soon after his assassination in 1968. Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983, and it was first observed in 1986. It was officially observed in all 50 states for the first time in 2000. (Source: Wikipedia)
Following is a brief guide listing upcoming events in Erie that will celebrate the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. If your organization is having an event and it is not listed on this site, please click here to tell us about it.
Gannon University’s Erie Chamber Orchestra Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr
Date: January 14, 2011 at 7:30 PM
Location: St. Patrick Church, 130 East 4th Street
Cost: Free and open to the public
Contact: 814-871-7755 or 814-871-5467
The concert will feature the Shiloh Baptist Church Choir and will begin at 7:30 PM. The orchestra is conducted and directed by Bruce Morton Wright. All concerts of Gannon University’s Erie Chamber Orchestra are free and open to the public. For more information, call 814-871-7755 or 814-871-5467
The Martin Luther King Annual Awards Dinner
Date: January 17, 2011, Reception at 5:30 PM and Dinner and Events from 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Location: The Bayfront Convention Center
Contact: James Sherod, 814-459-2761
It is time again for the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee to host its Martin Luther King Jr. Annual Awards Dinner, entitled “Excellence, Education, Economics-Goals for Tomorrow!” Our annual dinner provides a wonderful vehicle to show appreciation to members of the Erie community who have put forth generous and consistent effort to help those throughout the region.
WICUs Vanessa Herring will graciously host the event, and the featured guest speaker will be Dr. Kevin Greenaugh, an African American who runs a billion-dollar program for the Department of Energy, Air Force, Navy Strategic Command, and Department of Defense. He is charged with maintaining the safety and reliability of the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile.
With excitement we look forward to honoring our aware recipients: Sonya Arrington, GE, Gwen White, Gary Horton and Michael Hooks. Attendees should expect an elegant dinner and an evening full of entertainment. Tickets and detailed information are available by calling the Bayfront NATO Martin Luther King Center at 814-459-2761.
Mercyhurst College MLK Observance
Date: January 17, 2011 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Location: Mercyhurst College Great Room of the Student Union
Cost: Free and open to students and members of the college community
Mercyhurst College students will observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a memorial reflection from 9:00 to 11:00 AM in the Great Room of the Student Union. This is an open and casual time for students and members of the college community to reflect on the meaning of the day while enjoying camaraderie and refreshments.
Gannon University’s Memorial Prayer Service in Commemoration of Martin Luther King Day
Date: January 17, 2011 at 11:00 AM
Location: Gannon University’s Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel, 520 Peach Street
Cost: Free and open to the public
MLK Campus Brunch and Performance of “The Meeting” at Penn State Erie
Date: January 17, 2011 from 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Location: Penn State Behrend, McGarvey Commons of Reed Union Building
Contact: Office of Educational Equity and Diversity Programs, 814-898-7101
Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, will host its annual Campus Family Brunch to kickoff the college’s 2011 Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration. The entire Penn State Behrend community is invited to the celebration.
This year’s performance, “The Meeting,” will begin at noon. It imagines what a secret meeting between Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X might have been like. A thought-provoking work by playwright Jeff Stetson, “The Meeting” will be performed by professional actors.
Penn State Behrend will celebrate its annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration with a series of events and activities from January 17-21, 2011. This year’s theme is “The Courage To Do What’s Right.” Visit http://behrend.psu.edu/mlk for a complete listing of events.
“King’s Dream” at Penn State Erie
Date: January 18, 2011 from 7:00 – 8:00 PM
Location: Penn State Behrend, Bruno’s Café in Reed Union Building
Contact: Office of Educational Equity and Diversity Programs, 814-898-7101
The multimedia performance of “King’s Dream” is an inspiring tribute to the life and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Key Arts Productions use songs, live narrative and powerful film footage in this presentation of what led to an era of social unrest in America during the turbulent 1960s.
Penn State Behrend will celebrate its annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration with a series of events and activities from January 17-21, 2011. This year’s theme is “The Courage To Do What’s Right.” Visit http://behrend.psu.edu/mlk for a complete listing of events.
CBS’s Betty Nguyen Celebrates Diversity in Speakers Series Appearance
Date: January 20, 2011 from 7:30 – 9:00 PM
Location: Penn State Behrend, Reed Auditorium, Reed Union Building
Contact: Office of Educational Equity and Diversity Programs, 814-898-7101
Nguyen will discuss how diversity enriches our culture. “Diversity is all around us, in our schools, in our offices and in our communities. Often, what sets us apart is what makes us great,” she says. “By pooling our diverse backgrounds and experiences, we increase our knowledge and find new solutions to the problems we all face as humans.
Penn State Behrend will celebrate its annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration with a series of events and activities from January 17-21, 2011. This year’s theme is “The Courage To Do What’s Right.” Visit http://behrend.psu.edu/mlk for a complete listing of events.
Luncheon: “The Courage To Do What’s Right”
Date: January 21, 2011 from Noon – 1:30 PM
Location: Penn State Behrend, Dobbins Special Event Room
Contact: Office of Educational Equity and Diversity Programs, 814-898-7101
The Courage To Do What’s Right luncheon will feature Penn State Behrend alumni sharing their courageous experiences of doing what’s right. During this heart-warming and inspiring event, the alumni may highlight events from their years at Penn State Behrend or post-graduation.
Any current Penn State Behrend student is invited to attend, but reservations are requested. Please RSVP to diversitybehrend@psu.edu or 814-898-7101.
