South Bend will commemorate the 40th Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 19 with a diverse range of events aimed at honoring the legacy of Dr. King. The theme for this year, “From the Mountain Top to the Movement: Carrying the Vision Forward,” underscores the ongoing mission to uphold the ideals championed by civil rights leaders throughout history.
Overview of the Celebration
This year’s celebration is organized by Gladys Muhammad, who represents a coalition including the MLK Foundation of St. Joseph County, Project Impact, South Bend Heritage, and the Civil Rights Heritage Center at Indiana University South Bend, alongside over 40 dedicated community organizations. The event has been an annual occurrence since 1986, each year adopting a meaningful theme.
Event Schedule for January 19
The celebration will take place primarily at the Century Center, located at 120 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Most activities are free to the public, with some exceptions, particularly the breakfast event. Below is a detailed schedule of the day’s events:
- 7:30-9:15 a.m. — Community Service Recognition Breakfast
- Featuring an invocation by Rev. Robert Dowd, President of the University of Notre Dame.
- Keynote speaker Timothy Lake from Wabash College.
- Tickets priced at $25 individually or $200 for a table of eight.
- 9 a.m.-4 p.m. — Exhibits and Vendors
- More than 20 exhibits available for attendees to explore.
- 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. — Workshops and Programs
- Various workshops, including topics like “The Voting Rights Act of 1964” and “Financial Empowerment.”
- Free legal advice available from Volunteer Lawyer Network.
- Dedicated children’s activities hosted by the St. Joseph County Public Library.
- 11:30 a.m. – noon — Traditional Memorial March
- Starting at the County-City Building and concluding at the Century Center.
- Ending with a program recognizing community service awards.
- 3-5 p.m. — MLK Youth Cultural Program and Service Awards
- Recognition of youth awardees featuring performances from local talent.
Additional Events Throughout January
The celebration will extend beyond January 19 with various events, including:
- MLK Sunday Worship Service: January 18, 5:45 p.m., Greater St. John Missionary Baptist Church.
- “Navigating and Networking Through Our Recent Economic Crisis”: January 22, 6 p.m., Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Center.
- South Bend Symphony Orchestra’s “Celebration for a King”: January 15, 7 p.m., Greater St. John Missionary Baptist Church, free admission.
- An Evening with Author Brendan Slocumb: January 21, 6-8 p.m., St. Joseph County Public Library.
- UZIMA! Drum and Dance presents “ASHE: Prepare Ye the Way”: January 24, 7 p.m., DeBartolo Performing Arts Center, tickets $21 for adults, $7 for students.
- “BE-SPOKEN with Emorja Roberson”: January 31, 7 p.m., DeBartolo Performing Arts Center.
This year’s MLK Day events in South Bend not only celebrate Dr. King’s legacy but also encourage the community to continue his fight for equality and justice.
