ATLANTA — The King Center is gearing up to celebrate the life and legacy of Atlanta’s own Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
In honor of Dr. King’s 91st birthday on Jan. 20, the King Center is hosting events throughout Atlanta leading up to that special day.
The Reverend Dr. Bernice King, the King Center’s CEO and Martin Luther King’s daughter said that this year’s theme is “The Beloved Community: The Fierce Urgency of Now.”
“The ‘beloved community’ operates out of unconditional love. It’s not about who deserves anything,” King said.
“It’s about all human beings having this inherent worth and value,” she added.
Every third Monday of January, the United States celebrates “MLK Day.” It became a federal holiday in 1983.
Dr. King was assassinated in 1968.
“It’s not a day off, but it’s a day on,” Bernice King said Thursday at The King Center.
Throughout the country, individuals and non-profit organizations will join to participate in community service work. This is in honor of Dr. King’s emphasis on service.
The King Center announced several events in honor of MLK Day.
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The King Holiday Observance Week will run from Jan. 10-Jan 20. The events are as follows:
Jan. 10: 2-Day Nonviolence 365 Workshop at the King Center
Jan. 14: Students with King at the King Center
Jan. 14: King Holiday Observance Kick-Off Reception & Dream Forward Awards at the King Center
Jan. 15: Nonviolence 365 Teach-In
Jan. 16: Celebrate Difference-Students with King at the Georgia World Congress Center
Jan 17: The State of Georgia’s 35th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Tribute at the Capitol
Jan. 18: “Salute to Greatness” Awards Gala at the Hyatt Regency Hotel
Jan. 20: The Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church
Jan. 20: King Week Holiday March & Rally on Auburn Avenue
Jan. 20: 2-Hour Introduction to Nonviolence 365
Jan. 20: Beloved Community Talks at the King Center
Jan. 20: Voter Education Demo & Registration Drive at the King Center
For more details on these events, visit The King Center’s website.
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