College of Wooster expands MLK Day commemoration to five days
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
Note: This story has been updated with new information. See explanation at bottom of the story.
WOOSTER − The College of Wooster will celebrate civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. and the impact he and other civil rights activists had on the United States during its annual celebration, Jan. 16-20.
This year’s event invites students, faculty, staff and community members to join and reflect on the theme of “The Fierce Urgency of Now.” The expanded celebration includes two keynote presentations and three Justice Dialogues, one featuring Wooster alumnus and National Teacher of the Year, Kurt Russell, class of 1994.
The celebration will begin with a virtual video kickoff at noon Monday, Jan. 16. The NAACP MLK Day celebration will start at 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 621 College Ave., for a service led by one of the celebration’s two keynote speakers, the Rev. Gwendolyn Webb.
A 5 p.m. dinner before the service was canceled due to COVID-19 concerns, according to the NAACP.
Webb is pastor at God’s People United for a Better World Church and a native of Birmingham, Alabama. She graduated from the Birmingham Police Academy as the second Black female officer and served many years obtaining the rank of detective. Her civic affiliations include being an original Foot Soldier for Civil Rights that earned her the “I Have a Dream” Award, The Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Award, Civil Rights Legends 2011 Black Achievers Regions Financial Corporation and other awards and positions. She is the founder and CEO of Foot Soldiers International and Sisters Informing Sisters.
Wooster’s MLK celebration will include three Justice Dialogues held in the Gault Recital Hall of Scheide Music Center, 525 E. University St., 11 a.m.-noon, on Jan. 17, 18 and 19. On Jan. 17, "Beyond the Chaos” will be hosted by Webb. On Jan. 18, Michael Miyawaki, assistant professor of sociology and anthropology, will discuss “Anger into Action.” Miyawaki’s research focuses on race and ethnicity, particularly in the areas of identity formation, classification systems and inequality, and as they pertain to Latinos and the multiracial population.
The final of the three dialogues, “Sustaining a Commitment to Justice - A Conversation with 2022 National Teacher of the Year, Kurt Russell" will be moderated by Ryan Ozar, visiting assistant professor of education, on Jan. 19.
Russell was named the National Teacher of the Year in April. First inspired to become a teacher in middle school when he encountered his first Black male teacher, in his role as National Teacher of the Year he is advocating for classrooms to better reflect the students within them, from a curriculum that reflects their backgrounds and identities to a more diverse teaching profession.
The MLK programs conclude at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 20, with an address by educator and executive coach Patrice Buckner Jackson at McGaw Chapel, 340 E. University St. Jackson founded EduCare Training and Consulting. Much of her work is focused on equipping and refreshing educators. Currently, Jackson serves as creator and host of the Disrupting Burnout podcast and is the founder and facilitator of the EduCare Women’s Leadership Academy.
All events throughout the week are open to the public. A prayer breakfast will be held at Westminster Church House, 353 E. Pine St., 8-9:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 20. A Community Engagement Fair encouraging students to engage with local and student originations that serve the community will be open 3-5 p.m. Friday in The Alley, on the lower level of Lowry Center, 1189 Beall Ave. An Art Wall displayed in Lowry Center will feature art from Wooster City School students.
This years’ service project includes writing to local and state government leaders. Custom postcards are available at any of the Justice Dialogues or the Information Desk in Lowry Center.
UPDATE: A dinner scheduled before the Monday, Jan 16, MLK Day service has been canceled due to COVID-19 concerns. This story has been updated to include that new information.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: College of Wooster invites community to MLK celebration Jan. 16-20
