Jan. 18: Martin Luther King Jr. Day at Davidson

The college will close Monday, Jan. 18, in remembrance of the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. The Admission Office will be open for campus visits.

For faculty, staff and students who are interested in learning more about King, displays in the E.H. Little Library will feature books about King, academic work produced by Davidson faculty on King and the civil rights movement, artifacts from the period, and a copy of King's "Letter from a Birmingham Jail."

Some of the available book titles include: The Autobiography of Dr. Martin Luther King, by Martin Luther King; April 4, 1968: Martin Luther King Jr.'s Death and How It Changed America, by Mark Lane and Dick Gregory; and Martin & Malcom & America: A dream or a Nightmare, by James H. Cone.

On Tuesday, Jan. 19, the college will host a public screening of If These Halls Could Talk, a documentary about 11 college students from across the country who discuss the diversity-related issues they confront daily on their respective campuses. According to director Lee Mun Wah, the film "provides a glimpse into what is needed if we are ever going to come together in our classrooms, on our campuses and within our communities." The screening will begin at 6 p.m. in the 900 Room of the Alvarez College Union and will be followed by a community diversity dialogue led by Wah.

Charlotte-Area Events

The City of Charlotte MLK Planning Committee has organized a series of regional events to celebrate diversity and service in the community. The following events are open to the public:

Martin Luther King Jr. Art and Writing Contest Awards Ceremony

Thursday, Jan. 14; time and location to be announced.

Students from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools recognize King's vision of equality through written and visual expressions, as well as performances. Contest winners will be recognized. More info.

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Service

Friday, Jan. 15, noon-1 p.m., Marshall Park, 800 E. Third Street, Charlotte

This event, which occurs on the King's birthday, is held to commemorate his life and death. The brief service will include a wreath-laying ceremony and speakers who have followed King's legacy by fostering a spirit of inclusiveness in their daily interactions. More info.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Parade

Saturday, Jan. 16, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Uptown Charlotte

The MLK Holiday Parade will march down Tryon St., beginning at 9th St. and ending at Stonewall St. More than 100 local and regional organizations, including step and drill teams, will participate. More info.

Martin Luther King Jr. Growing the Dream Luncheon

Saturday, Jan. 16, 1:30 p.m., Johnson C. Smith University, 100 Beatties Ford Rd., Charlotte

The luncheon ceremony will honor community members who work to foster unity and promote diversity and multiculturalism in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg region. The event is free to attend; space is limited. More info.

MLK Call to Service

Sunday, Jan. 17, 1-4 p.m., Multiple Locations

Hands On Charlotte promotes King's belief in service by organizing multiple service projects for hundreds of volunteers on and around the holiday that bears his name. These projects not only deliver valuable assistance to nonprofit organizations, schools and other service providers around the area, but also allow participants to kick off the New Year by reflecting on the meaning of King's life of service. Family-friendly service activities include sorting donated winter coats, assembling pencil pouches and designing bookmarks for classrooms, and decorating adoption bandanas for shelter dogs. Donations of coats, school supplies, non-perishable food items, books and housewares also will be collected to benefit partner agencies. More info.

22nd Annual MLK Holiday Prayer Breakfast

Monday, Jan. 18, 8-10:30 a.m., Crown Ballroom, NASCAR Hall of Fame, Charlotte

Former North Carolina State Senator Malcolm Graham will provide the keynote address at this popular event that attracts more than 10,000 people annually. The celebration also will include music, student essay and poetry readings, as well as recognition of the annual MLK Medallion Award winners. Tickets are available for purchase online. More info.

National Observance Daybreak of Freedom

Monday, Jan. 18, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Halton Theatre, CPCC, 1206 Elizabeth Ave., Charlotte

This ecumenical, interfaith and interracial service will examine and celebrate King's global impact as a moral leader. The service will focus on themes of justice, reconciliation and humanity in a polarized age through music, poetry and guest speakers. MLK Keeper of the Dream and Medallion award winners will be recognized as part of the celebration. Missouri congressman Emanuel Cleaver II will be the keynote speaker. More info.

4th Annual MLK Teen Summit

Monday, Jan. 18, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., McCrorey Family YMCA, Charlotte

Teens from across the Charlotte region are invited to join in this discussion around social justice, higher education, entrepreneurship and civic engagement. The event is free and open to the community. 

Living the Legacy: MLK Day at the Gantt Center

Monday, Jan. 18, starting at 9 a.m., Harvey B. Gantt Center, 551 Tryon St., Charlotte

Panel discussions, films and workshops will delve into how men and women of action have advanced King's legacy locally. Hear first-hand accounts from those who were responsible for progress made in Charlotte during the early days of the civil rights movement; and how arts, youth and community program leaders respond to and engage youth in what is currently going on in our city, state and country. Free and open to the public. Sponsored by Food Lion. More info.