Schedule Set For 21st Annual MLK Legacy Celebration At Ohio University

Presented By Classic Brands

(Athens) – Ohio University will celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in January 2022. The University’s 21st annual celebration, with the theme, “UNITY, CommUNITY, and OpportUNITY,” will take place Jan. 17-22.

Each year, Ohio University honors the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with inclusive OHIO and regional communities’ tributes that highlight equality and social justice. We honor Dr. King for his work toward racial equality and justice for all people and for his dedication to nonviolence. 

The events are sponsored by the Ohio University Division of Diversity and Inclusion and are coordinated by the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee. This year the committee is co-chaired by Travis Gatling, director of the School of Dance in the College of Fine Arts, and Vanessa Morgan-Nai, coordinator for Multicultural Advising and African American Student Success, Office of Multicultural Success and Retention (OMSAR). 

The MLK Jr. Celebratory Brunch details and ticket information are included below:

Monday, Jan. 17 (National MLK Jr. Day)
Silent March 
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Location: Galbreath Chapel
Sponsor: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. 

The Silent March will begin in front of Galbreath Chapel and end at the fourth-floor entrance of Baker University Center. This event is open to the public. 

MLK Jr. Celebratory Brunch with Featured Speaker – Patricia Russell-McCloud, Esq.
Time: 11 a.m.
Location: Baker University Center Ballroom 
Sponsors: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., MLK Jr. Celebration Committee, others to be announced.

The annual brunch will include dance and vocal performances and feature a keynote address by Pat Russell-McCloud, Esq.

Ticket prices: Non-student brunch tickets are $25 each; OHIO student brunch tickets are $15 each. Non-student sponsorships (includes a table of six seats) are $300 per table, OHIO student sponsorships (includes a table of six seats) are $150 per table, Individuals, departments, organizations, and companies that purchase a table will be recognized as event sponsors.

A $500 Celebration sponsorship for all of the week’s events is also available. This includes a table for six at the brunch, with certificate of sponsorship to be presented during the brunch program.

Tickets and sponsorships may be purchased online or by contacting the Division of Diversity and Inclusion at diversityinclusion@ohio.edu.

The University’s celebration will continue throughout the week and below is a preliminary list of events:

Tuesday, Jan. 18
Featured speaker: The Rev. Dr. Bernard LaFayette Jr., moderated by the Rev. Dr. Jack Sullivan Jr.
Time: 7 to 8 p.m.
Location: This event will be held virtually and registration and details will be forwarded in early January. 
Sponsors: OHIO’s regional campuses and MLK Jr. Planning Committee

The Rev. Dr. LaFayette, one of the original Freedom Fighters, is an American civil rights activist and organizer who was a leader in the civil rights movement. He played a leading role in early organizing of the Selma voting rights movement; was a member of the Nashville Student Movement; and worked closely throughout the 1960s movements with groups such as the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), and the American Friends Service Committee. 

Wednesday, Jan. 19
Well-being Wednesday Resource Fair
Time: 4 to 6 p.m.
Location: Baker 240 and 242
Sponsor: MLK Jr. Celebration Committee

Thursday, Jan. 20
Bridging the Gap: Unifying Our Community
Time: Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Location: Baker 240 and 242
Sponsors: Bobcats Lead Change and MLK Jr. Celebration Committee

“Why Justice Seekers Need Co-Conspirators More than Allies”
Time: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Location: Hosted virtually via Teams
Sponsor: MLK Jr. Celebration Committee

In this forum, participants will consider the limitations of allyship while discovering steps they can take to work as co-conspirators who live in solidarity with justice-seeking people and communities.

Facilitator: The Rev. Jack Sullivan Jr., D.Min., D.D., (BSC ’83), executive director of the Ohio Council of Churches and Recipient of the 2020 Social Justice Award from the State of Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Commission.

Friday, Jan. 21
Variety Show
Time: 6 to 8 p.m.
Location: Baker University Center Theatre (second Floor)
Sponsor: MLK Jr. Celebration Committee

Saturday, Jan. 22
Day of Service – Letter Writing Campaign
Time: 1 to 3 p.m.
Location: 29 Park Place (Academic Engagement Center)
Sponsor: MLK Jr. Celebration Committee

Other community service activities will be announced in January.