Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Activities Planned At WKU
January 07, 2003
Bowling Green, Ky. - "Celebrating the Legacy, Rejoicing in the Spirit" is the theme for Martin Luther King Jr. Day activities Jan. 20 in Bowling Green.
The Rev. Jamal-Harrison Bryant, founder and pastor of the Empowerment Temple in Baltimore, will be the keynote speaker for the holiday celebration's main program at 11 a.m. at Western Kentucky University's Van Meter Auditorium.
Empowerment Temple, the nation's fastest growing African Methodist Episcopal church, started with 43 members and has reached more than 5,000 members in two years. The church is focused on empowering believers spiritually, developing them educationally, exposing them culturally, activating them politically and strengthening them economically.
The Rev. Bryant also has served as the director of the NAACP's Youth and College Division where he spearheaded the "Stop the Violence, Start the Love Crusade."
Other holiday activities Jan. 20 include:
- Memorial breakfast, 7:30-9 a.m. at Girls Inc., 260 Scott Way. The speaker will be the Rev. Donzella M. Lee of Taylor Chapel AME Church. Tickets are $6 for adults and $5 for children 12 and younger and may be purchased at the Housing Authority of Bowling Green, Bowling Green Human Rights Commission or State Street Baptist Church.
- Symbolic march, 10 a.m. from the Justice Center downtown to Van Meter Hall. Shuttle service from the Diddle Arena parking lot to the Justice Center will begin at 9:30 a.m.
- Main program, 11 a.m. at Van Meter Auditorium. The program includes remarks from the Rev. Bryant, performances by the Village Dance Group and special music by the Amazing Tones of Joy, Warren Central High School Band and Bowling Green High School African American History Club Choir. A reception follows at Garrett Conference Center.
- Youth and children's activities, following the main program at Garrett Conference Center Ballroom, featuring an art contest and performances by the Village Dance Group, Children of Praise and Spiritual Dancers of State Street Baptist Church.
The King holiday planning committee, which includes several agencies and organizations in Bowling Green, also is selling a 2003 calendar featuring 24 African American "Men of Distinction." The calendar, which costs $5, is available at the Bowling Green Human Rights Commission and the Housing Authority of Bowling Green.
During the year, the "Men of Distinction," who include Howard Bailey, Abraham Williams, Curtis Sullivan, the Rev. Freddie Brown and Osi Onyekwuluje, will share their perspectives on success with students at L.C. Curry and Parker Bennett elementary schools.
For information about holiday activities, contact the Housing Authority at (270) 843-6071, WKU Office of Diversity Programs at (270) 745-5066 or the Human Rights Commission at (270) 782-7900.
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