KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Tuesday, Western Michigan University (WMU) announced that it will be holding a series of virtual events and readings for Martin Luther King Jr. Day beginning this week.
The virtual event series will begin on Thursday, January 7, continue through MLK Day on Monday, January 18, and later throughout the month.
WMU officials say this year’s theme is “None of Us is Free Until All of Us Are Free.” Other sponsors of the series include the Bronson Healthcare System, the city of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo Community Foundation, Kalamazoo Public Schools and Kalamazoo Valley Community College.
A full list of events can be viewed below:
Thursday, January 7 –
- TRutH Talk: Racial Healing, 4 to 5:30 p.m., is a virtual discussion about the racial healing work that has been transpiring in the Kalamazoo community, what Racial Healing Circles and Virtual Healing Experiences are and how the community can participate in the 5th annual National Day of Racial Healing. Register here. For accommodations and more information, contact Emily Olivares.
Thursday, January 14 –
- Discussion on Twitter regarding resistance and healing, 4 to 5:30 p.m. Submit questions to TRHT (Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation) Kalamazoo for the community panel at the National Day of Racial Healing Celebration. To participate, follow TRHT Kalamazoo on Twitter, join the chat and use #HealingResistanceKzoo and #KzooHealingChats. For accommodations and more information, contact Emily Olivares.
Monday, January 18 –
- Virtual MLK Day Convocation, 11 a.m. to noon, includes keynote speaker, scholar and activist Dr. D-L Stewart at Colorado State University and his presentation “I Wish I Knew How it Would Feel to be Free.” Email Natalia Carvalho-Pinto for a link to join, accommodations and more information.
- TRHT Kalamazoo: Public Virtual Healing Experience, 4 to 6 p.m., provides a time to come together in an intentional space to discuss personal narratives and provide insight, understanding and appreciation of one another’s stories. Space is limited to 50 individuals. Register here before capacity is reached or by Wednesday, Jan. 13, whichever is first. For accommodations and more information, contact Emily Olivares.
Tuesday, January 19 –
- TRHT Kalamazoo: National Day of Racial Healing Opening Reception, 4 to 5 p.m., invites participants to virtually mix and mingle with community members and share stories of resistance healing from the unprecedented year of 2020. Register here. For accommodations and more information, contact Emily Olivares.
- Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation Kalamazoo National Day of Racial Healing 2021 Celebration, 5 to 7:30 p.m., commemorates the 5th annual National Day of Racial Healing with a livestream from the Kalamazoo State Theatre, featuring community voices and local artists. Register here. For accommodations and more information, contact Emily Olivares.
Thursday, January 21 –
- Community Read of “From Here to Equality” by William A. Darity and A. Kristen Mullen, 4 to 6 p.m., includes a virtual community discussion led by Jacob Pinney-Johnson. The first 20 participants who sign up will receive a free copy of the book. Register here. For accommodations and more information, contact Emily Olivares.
Wednesday, January 27 –
- MLK High School Social Justice Workshops, beginning at noon, are for Kalamazoo Public Schools’ students and include an exploration of activism and the fight for social justice from the time of Martin Luther King Jr. to present-day displays of advocacy by members from the community ranging to athletes and musicians. A link will be distributed directly to students through KPS. For accommodations and more information, contact Lauren Carney.
All events are free, and residents can visit the website for additional information.
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