MONROE COUNTY — Five events have been set in Monroe County in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy. MLK Day is Monday, but the local events begin Tuesday. Nearby Toledo Museum of Art will offer MLK activities on Monday. Here’s the list of events:
— A Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Service will begin at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21 at the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Motherhouse, 610 W. Elm Ave. in Monroe.
Stephanie Kasprzak, executive director of the Monroe County Opportunity Program, will offer reflections at the service. Kasprzak also spoke at last year’s IHM service.
After the service, the IHM community will again provide meals at the Oaks of Righteousness warming shelter in Monroe for six days, Jan. 20-26.
Previous Coverage: Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day prayer service held in Monroe
Participants from a previous Monroe County Community College Unity Peace March are shown walking near the Martin Luther King Jr. Pedestrian Bridge. This year’s MCCC march is Jan. 24.
— Monroe County Community College will host the virtual program “MLK’s Impact on Michigan” from 11 a.m.-noon Tuesday, Jan. 21 on Zoom.
Presenter Christina Klein is an adjunct professor in MCCC’s Humanities and Social Sciences department. She has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history and recently completed her Ph.D. coursework.
For more information and the Zoom link, visit MCCC’s website.
The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. is shown in 1967, at a speaking engagement at Brown University’s Sayles Hall.
— Monroe County Community College will offer the virtual program, “Letter from a Birmingham Jail: Fighting Unjust Laws through Nonviolent Direct Action” from 10-11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, on Zoom.
Presenter Beverly C. Tomek is dean of Humanities and Social Sciences at MCCC and is also a historian of civil rights movements in the U.S. She has written books on slavery and works on the American and Pennsylvania African recolonization movements. She is currently writing a biography of 20th-century civil rights leader James Farmer.
For more information and the Zoom link, visit MCCC’s website.
— In honor of MLK Jr. Day of Service and to celebrate the Retired Senior Volunteer Program’s volunteers, Marian Place and MCOP will host a DEIA (diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility) luncheon from noon-2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23 at the Arthur Lesow Community Center, 120 Eastchester St. in Monroe.
Offered will be a buffet lunch and speakers from Trinity Health and the Alzheimer’s Association. Mary Larkin, Diversity and Inclusion consultant at Trinity Health, will offer a general understanding of DEIA, said Beth Berlin, program director of Monroe County’s RSPV program.
Melissa Salas, program manager with the Alzheimer’s Association Michigan Chapter, will discuss how a lack of DEIA awareness can impact people as they age.
The public is welcome. “This event is designed to give older adults the chance to learn about DEIA, which has certainly been in the news recently, in a safe and welcoming environment,” Berlin said.
Seating is limited. For reservations, call Berlin at 734-24-0404.
— Monroe County Community College’s annual Unity Walk will take place from noon-12:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24 in downtown Monroe. Attendees should meet on the south side of the Martin Luther King Jr. Pedestrian Bridge. “All are welcome to march peacefully in recognition of Martin Luther King Jr.,” MCCC said.
The march travels east on Front Street, north over the Monroe Street bridge and concludes at the MLK Monument in St. Mary’s Park.
More Coverage: Honoring MLK Jr. in Michigan. What to know about the federal holiday
— Toledo Museum of Art is typically closed on Mondays, but it will be open from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. this Monday for special and free Martin Luther King Jr. Day events.
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Offerings include family activities, a performance by cellist Damon Coleman and storytime. A panel will discuss “Art as Activism.” “His Dream Polaroid Station” allows visitors to take a photo of themselves and share their dream for this year’s MLK Day.
For the full list of activities and the times, visit toledomuseum.org. — Contact reporter Suzanne Nolan Wisler at swisler@monroenews.com.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Five Monroe County events to honor Martin Luther King Jr., his legacy