During a unique period of time for everybody, Franklin College organizers wanted to take a new approach to celebrating the life of Martin Luther King Jr.
In-person marches, worship and convocations have been replaced by virtual events. While recognizing King’s work for civil rights, a panel discussion will explore his emphasis on economic equality. Spoken word performance by a Franklin College alumna and a presentation on social justice brings King’s legacy to present times.
The program is an opportunity to take a fresh look at King and his ongoing influence, said Terri Roberts-Leonard, director of diversity and inclusion at the college.
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“I wanted to make sure we still did something to commemorate it. I know that with COVID-19, everything has been difficult and shifted to virtual programming, and a lot of our students and staff are burnt out on that kind of programming,” she said. “What I made sure to do was to change the schedule a little bit to keep it fresh.”
Though traditional on-campus events have been shelved this year at Franklin College, the hope is that the online activities will offer a more robust look at King’s work and allow anyone to participate, even if they’re not in Johnson County. Programs have been planned every two hours throughout the day, starting with a virtual chapel service at 10 a.m.
The centerpiece of the celebration, and the final event of the day, is a convocation lecture by Alexandria White titled, “No Man Is an Island: Social Justice Is Everyone’s Work.”
White has worked for the past 15 years training and consulting with organizations about diversity, equity and inclusion. She is the director of diversity for ReBoot Accel, a woman-led, woman-owned consulting company in Silicon Valley. In XXXX, she founded S.A.M.S., or Student Affairs MomS, an online community for mothers who work on college campuses.
Her presentation will focus on why advancing social justice and equity for all benefits society.
“Being able to find common ground and understanding with all people is essential to progress in our communities, our universities and our world,” White said in a news release.
Throughout the rest of the day, Roberts-Leonard planned engaging and eclectic programs that help frame the ongoing social justice movements and King’s role in them.
During “Dr. King’s Other Dream: Economic Equality Panel,” a group of campus leaders will discuss and take questions about the importance placed on ensuring society is on level ground economically, something King felt very strongly about.
“Everybody focuses on his civil rights work, which is of course very important, but he also did a lot of work with economic equality,” Roberts-Leonard said.
To round out the day’s program, she approached Franklin College alumna Taylor McElwain to help. McElwain graduated in 2019, and is a renowned spoken word artist. Her performance “Reflection Through the Art of Spoken Word” will paint a poetic portrait of King.
“(Taylor) does spoken work, and is really great at that. I thought it would be a different type of event, something that might draw in people who maybe haven’t participated before,” Roberts-Leonard said.
In a normal year, the programming around the college’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration would be buttressed with community service all day long. That’s not possible right now, she said. But in that spirit, the college has planned a children’s book drive starting on Monday and extending until Jan. 22.
New and gently used books can be dropped off at the college’s Napolitan Student Center. Campus visitors can call 317-738-8119 when they arrive and a staff member will come to their vehicle to pick up the donation. People can also call or email the college’s diversity office to arrange a donation pickup.
Anyone who makes a donation will receive a free water bottle.
“The national day is community service-focused, and since we couldn’t do community service in the traditional way, we wanted to do a donation drive,” Roberts-Leonard said.
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Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Celebration
When: Monday
Where: Virtually via Zoom
Who: Hosted by Franklin College
Schedule:
Chapel service — 10 a.m.
"Dr. King’s Other Dream: Economic Equality Panel" — noon; a panel discussion will examine King’s work on the topic of economic equality.
"Reflection Through the Art of Spoken Words" — 2 p.m.; spoken word artist and alumna Taylor McElwain will take attendees on an oral poetic performance in the spirit of the life and legacy of King.
“No Man Is An Island: Social Justice Is Everyone’s Work” — Lecturer Dr. Alexandria White will discuss how advancing social justice and equity for all is for the benefit of our society. Presented via Zoom: Meeting ID: 973 8505 1402 – Passcode: 574616
Other activities: The college is also hosting a children’s book drive from Jan. 18-22. New and gently used books can be dropped off to the college at the Napolitan Student Center. Visitors to the campus may call (317) 738-8119 when they arrive on campus and a staff member will come to their vehicle to pick up the donation. They may also call or email [email protected] to arrange pick up of book donations. Anyone who makes a donation will receive a free water bottle.
How to attend: Zoom links to the various events can be found at https://franklincollege.edu/join-us-as-we-honor-the-life-and-legacy-of-dr-martin-luther-king-jr/
Source: Franklin College
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