Community Corner

Communities Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Monday is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, also a National Day of Service, and will be celebrated through performances, discussions, marches and volunteering.

"Building Bridges: Canton Celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr."

The event is Monday at The Village Theater at Cherry Hill, 50400 Cherry Hill Road.  The public is invited to attend a pre-event reception at 5:30 p.m. featuring refreshments, followed by the main program at 6 p.m.  This annual
event is presented by the Canton Commission for Culture, Arts, and Heritage, members of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Sub-Committee, and the Canton Community.  The reception is sponsored by Darian & Ralynda Moore of Keller Williams Realty of Plymouth.  Admission to this special presentation is a $2 donation at the door.

A biography of Dr. King's life will be presented in dramatic form.
"Spirit of the Man - Martin Luther King, Jr." was written and produced
by ReGina Shamberger, a member of the Canton Commission for Culture, Arts and Heritage, as well as the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Sub-Committee.

Musical performances will be provided by the New Hope Music Academy Choir, under the direction of Isaac Pippen.

This year a special panel of Morehouse College Alumni will be hosted by Anthony Davis, a member of the Canton Commission for Culture, Arts and Heritage, as well as the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Sub-Committee.  The panel will feature distinguished members of the community: Judge William McConico - Michigan's 36th District Court; Karl Robinson - President, Detroit Morehouse Alumni Association; Curtis Johnson; and Reverend Nelson A. Henry.

Food Drive by Plymouth Democratic Club

In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the Plymouth Democratic Club is having a food drive of non-persihable food items at its meeting 7 p.m. Thursday  at the Plymouth District Library.  The items will be donated to Plymouth's Salvation Army, and the Club will continue to collect food donations through the weekend.

Find out what's happening in Plymouth-Cantonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

‘Remembering our Past, Creating a Better Future’

Novi High School Auditorium - 7 p.m. Thursday

This free event will have drama, song and dance and is open to the public. It will feature the winners of the 2013 Unity in the Community Oratorical and Essay Contests. Congratulations to winners Serena Wei, Moynawk Gangopadhay, Andrew Fokken, Jakiyah Bradley and Lindsey Kramer. Canned food items will also be collected for those in need.

Find out what's happening in Plymouth-Cantonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Novi Public Library - 1 - 8 p.m. Monday

For the first time, the Novi Public Library will be open on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The Novi Public Library is partnering with Novi Community Schools for this new second event. It will include programs honoring Martin Luther King and highlighting the trials and triumphs of black history.

1-2PM: The day will start with youth programs for children in fourth grade and under.  Participants can enjoy interactive stories, crafts, and puzzles.

4-8PM: This is for all ages. The library will be featuring the Saffold Collection, a black history mobile museum. This exhibit will feature memorabilia that spans from the time of slavery to the Hip Hop age to our 1st African American President with original documents and artifacts.

7-8PM:  This is for those in seventh grade and above. The day will conclude with a panel discussion focusing on how to integrate Dr. King’s vision and words into the community.

Give a Coat, Share the Warmth!

You can bring gently worn coats to the customer service desk at any Burlington Coat Factory now through Monday and receive 10 percent off your purchase. If you don't have a coat to give, text "COAT" to 80100 to donate to One Warm Coat.

The closest Burlington Coat Factory is in Westland, 355555 Warren Road. 

Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Week

Eastern Michigan University - Jan. 17 - 22

Some of the week's events include:

  • MLK Storytellers: Health Disparities Film and Speaker Series

    Thursday 3 – 5 p.m., 352 Student Center

    Participants will explore health disparities and their impact on mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health.

  • MLK Day of Service

    Friday 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., meet at the VISION Volunteer Center (346 Student Center)

Engage in service opportunities throughout the local Ypsilanti community.

Monday

The 27th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. President's Luncheon's keynote speaker is anti-racist activist/essayist, author and educator Tim Wise.

Prices for luncheon tickets are $10 for students and $20 for nonstudents and can be purchased at the EMU Convocation Center ticket office and the Student Center ticket office.

  • Keynote Address: Tim Wise

10 a.m., Student Center Auditorium

  • President’s Luncheon

    11:45 a.m., Student Center Ballroom

  • MLK Celebration March

    A campus-wide march of unity lead by students and community leaders

  • 6 - 6:30 p.m., south entrance of Student Center

    For a list of more events, visit Eastern Michigan University's website.

    Sort Merchandise at Recycle Ann Arbor

    Recycle Ann Arbor, 2420 South Industrial Highway, a nonprofit organization, asks for volunteers to join them Monday on the National Day of Service to gather and sort recyclable materials.

    "(R)Evolution of the Dream" - The University of Michigan's 27th Annual MLK Symposium

    "IndiVisible: African-Native American Lives in the Americas: A traveling exhibition from the Smithsonian Institution"

    Now through Jan. 31; Monday-Friday noon - 6 p.m., Sunday noon to 5 p.m.
    Duderstadt Center Gallery, 2281 Bonisteel Ave, Ann Arbor

    The exhibition "IndiVisible: African-Native American Lives in the Americas" is a collaboration between the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, National Museum of African American History and Culture and the Smithsonian Institution Travelling Exhibition Service.

    Annual MLK Children & Youth Day

    Monday 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
    The Modern Languages Building, 812 E. Washington, Ann Arbor

    Activities include storytelling, guided discussions and group projects, skits, rap poetry and a range of musical performances. The School of Education, School of Social Work, and the Office of Academic and Multicultural Initiatives invite all students throughout the K-12 school-communities to participate in a day filled with a range of activities planned specifically to celebrate and commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

    For more information on events, visit the Symposium website.


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