ATHENS, Ga. – The University of Georgia again
partners with the Athens community Jan. 13-21 to celebrate the life and
legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Known as “King Week,” the celebration features
events on campus and in the larger Athens community, including multiple
church services, a march, two music festivals and a student-planned
party.
“The University of Georgia is about service,” said Vanessa Williams Smith, associate dean of students and director of UGA’s Minority Services and Programs. “We
are part of this community. The university is not an island. I’m very
pleased that we’ve been able to partner with the Athens community.”
A Freedom Breakfast starts the celebration at 7
a.m., Friday, Jan. 13, in Georgia Hall of the Tate Student Center.
Damon Evans, UGA director of athletics, will be the guest speaker, and
tickets are $15. Ticket information is available by calling
706/583-8195.
On Saturday, Jan. 14, the Athens Area Human
Relations Council Youth Pow Wow meets at 11 a.m. in the Tate Student
Center’s Georgia Hall. At 2 p.m., the Soñemos Juntos
(Dream Together) March begins at the Arch on Broad Street and ends at
City Hall. Sponsored by the Hispanic Concerns Committee of Athens, the
march concludes with a speech by Janice Mathis of the Rainbow Push
Coalition. The day ends with the Athens Area Human Relations Council
Banquet at 7 p.m. at the Classic Center, featuring Eco Latino editor
Enrique Carrion as speaker.
Three church services will take place over the
weeklong observance—a community one at Hill First Baptist Church, 205
N. Pope St., at 11 a.m., Sunday, Jan. 15; an ecumenical service at
Ebenezer Baptist Church West, 205 N. Chase St., at 11 a.m., Monday,
Jan. 16; and an interfaith service in the Tate Student Center’s
Reception Hall at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18.
In conjunction with the national observance of the
King holiday on Monday, Jan. 16, the annual Day of Service, comprised
of several service projects held at area schools, will be held. Call
Samantha Carvalho at 706/613-3155, ext 1209, for more information. Area
high school students will be among those giving special presentations
at 9 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 17, during Education Day, in the Tate Student
Center’s Georgia Hall.
A gospel fest will fill the Greater Bethel AME,
140 Rose St., at 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 19. The Billups Rogers Young
Generation Choir, Ebenezer Baptist Church West Praise Team, Mt.
Pleasant Young Adult Choir, Purpose, Deborah Favors and Friends and New
Grove Baptist Church Ensemble are scheduled to perform.
Friday, Jan. 20 begins with an 11 a.m. coffee hour
at the Memorial Hall Ballroom, and ends with a music fest at 7 p.m. in
the Tate Student Center’s Georgia Hall, provided by Kaizen
Entertainment.
The celebration closes Saturday, Jan. 21, with the
Black Affairs Council-sponsored Unity Ball at 8 p.m. in the Georgia
Hall of the Tate Student Center. Tickets are $5 for singles or $8 for
couples in advance, and are available at the Tate Student Center, or by
phone by calling 706/542-8074.
“All students from all backgrounds and cultures
come together,” said Smith of the ball, “as in Dr. King’s dream—and, of
course, students want to do it in the form of a party. The students
work really hard in putting it together.”
Fore more information, visit www.uga.edu/mlk.
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