MLK celebrations planned for Unity Week at BSU

MUNCIE, Ind. − The Multicultural Center at Ball State University has announced the schedule of events for Unity Week 2023, which kicks off on Monday, Jan. 16, this year’s official observance of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

“Unity Week is designed to educate, celebrate, and promote diversity, inclusivity, and solidarity in an evolving social climate,” said Gabrielle Lloyd, interim director of the Multicultural Center, in a press release. “2023 marks the 45th anniversary of the Unity Week celebration at Ball State University. This year's theme is ‘Be real. Be you. Unlock your full potential.’ We want to offer students, faculty, staff, and the Muncie community members the opportunity to learn from those around them and reflect on how their own lived experiences shape who they are and how they view the world.”

According to a listing of events provided by BSU, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast, hosted by the university and the Collective Coalition of Concerned Clergy, is open to everyone, at no cost. The event be held at Ball State’s L.A. Pittenger Student Center, 2000 W. University Ave. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. Breakfast is available at 9 a.m. It will be live streamed at www.bsu.edu/live.

Speaking at the Breakfast will be Rashida Willard, associate vice president of Inclusive Excellence at Ball State. The theme of the event is “Continuing the March: Pursuing the Dream.”

Following the Breakfast and keynote address, attendees will participate in the MLK Unity March from the Student Center to the Shafer Bell Tower, scheduled to start promptly at 11:30 a.m. and followed by student performances at University Green.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Evening Celebration, also slated for Monday, begins at 7 p.m. at Union Missionary Baptist Church, 1100 N. Macedonia Ave., in Muncie. Guest speaker for the evening celebration is Dr. Kevin D. Woodgett of The Church Of The Living. There will be special music performances by The MLK Community Choir.

Another highlight of Unity Week 2023 will be featured speaker Chloe Barnes, lead for Curation Standards (Representation and Inclusion) at Twitter. She will speak at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Pruis Hall on Ball State’s main campus in Muncie. There is no cost to attend the speech, which is open to everyone.

Barnes, a Ball State graduate, has also been an entrepreneur, facilitator, podcaster and a diversity, equity and inclusion advocate. At Twitter, Barnes’ many duties include the development of initiatives that help Twitter improve its global processes, policies, and programs, and help the social media platform include diverse and underrepresented voices in Twitter’s curated content.

As an entrepreneur and a former Division I college basketball player, Barnes started her first company, Elle Grace Consulting LLC, in 2017. Elle Grace Consulting worked alongside organizations to provide coaching, develop curriculum, and facilitate training designed to help athletes transition into career once their playing days conclude.

This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: MLK celebrations planned for next week during Unity Week at BSU