Peace and unity will be celebrated at New Bedford's MLK Day of Remembrance

Standard-Times
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NEW BEDFORD — To mark the birthday of civil rights activist and social justice warrior, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the city of New Bedford invites the public to attend the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Program, "Opening doors - Creating a Life's Blueprint," on Sunday, Jan. 15. The theme "Opening doors - Creating a Life's Blueprint," is in honor of King's 1967 speech encouraging students in their formative years to question "whether you have a proper, a solid and a sound blueprint" while building the structure of your life.

Keynote speaker for the event, Rahsaan Hall, is a champion for civil rights, former Assistant District Attorney, and ordained minister. Hall is the founder and principal of Rahsaan Hall Consulting in Boston, where he provides experienced racial justice and criminal law reform advocacy focusing on community engagement, policy advocacy, and racial equity. He was the Deputy Director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Economic Justice where his work included policy, legislative advocacy, and community outreach.

Rahsaan Hall, a champion for civil rights, will be the keynote speaker for Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Community Program on Jan. 15.
Rahsaan Hall, a champion for civil rights, will be the keynote speaker for Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Community Program on Jan. 15.

“Each year during this annual day of remembrance, we come together to celebrate Dr. King’s message of peace and unity. We are strongest when we set aside our differences and find common ground,” said Mayor Jon Mitchell in a release.

The program will take place from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 47 South Sixth St., New Bedford.

Sunday’s program will feature remarks from Mayor Mitchell, live poetry, and musical selections from vocal artist and New Bedford native Candida Rose Baptista, Councilor at-large Shane Burgo, Travis Rapoza, Rev. Laurie Smalls, Avamarie Khazan, and more.  It will also include the announcement of the 2023 Creative Expression Winners in the Poetry, Art, and Essays categories.

For more information, contact the MLK Planning Committee at (774) 271-4808 or through email at MLKCreativeExpression@newbedford-ma.gov.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: MLK program to celebrate Peace and Unity