OHIO, USA — Every third Monday in January, Martin Luther King Jr. is honored across the United States and around the world for his work as a civil rights leader.
From his everlasting dream of a world where all are equal, to his profound impact philosophically and culturally, King left behind a legacy that has led to his birthday being a cause for celebration and reflection each year.
To pay tribute, several groups and organizations are hosting events, activities and other ways to commemorate MLK Day.
TOLEDO
The city of Toledo, University of Toledo and the Human Relations Commission are collaborating to host several events to honor the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy.
The 2024 MLK Experience kicks off Friday with activities leading up to the 23rd annual Unity Day Celebration on Jan. 15.
Below is a list of events across Toledo from the 2024 MLK Experience and Unity Day Celebration, and other groups and organizations.
FRIDAY, JAN. 12
Celebrating 50 Years of Hip Hop: Open Mic Poetry Night at Lucille's Jazz Lounge
- Doors at 7:15 p.m., performances begin at 8 p.m. at 1447 N. Summit St. Suite C
- Tickets are available online at this link and range from $10 to $32
SATURDAY, JAN. 13
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.'s 32nd Annual MLK Scholarship Breakfast
- The sold-out event will honor and celebrate the achievements of college scholarship awardees to foster education and community support. Tickets are required to attend and are no longer available.
SUNDAY, JAN. 14
Rest, Rejoice, and Restoration
- A day to spend at the place of your choosing for rest, celebration and reflection.
MONDAY, JAN. 15
- 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. online
- The virtual event will be streamed on the city of Toledo's Facebook page, BCAN and the University of Toledo's website at utoledo.edu/mlk. The event will feature keynote speaker Rosa Alicia Clemente, an independent journalist, activist and advocate in the Black-Latinx community. Clemente will be joined by Toledo native Daryl Brown, the founder and creative director of Midwest Kids, Inc., and Darryl Brown LLC, for a discussion on the theme of "I AM the Dream"
- Other speakers include University of Toledo President Gregory Postel; Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz; U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur; U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown; Toledo Kid Mayor Gabrielle Mukiira; UToledo Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Malaika Bell; and chair of the city of Toledo Human Relations Commission, Erin Baker
- There will also be performances by host Alexis Means and the Toledo Opera; Hip Hop Poetry Cypher; JP Dynasty; Tahyah Dance Studio; Friendship/UT Choir; My5tery Music Band; and Nikki D and The Browns
The Toledo Museum of Art will serve as a gathering place to celebrate MLK Day. Parking an entry is free and the museum will be open from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. As part of the MLK Experience, the museum will offer the following programming and artwork celebrating Black artists and culture:
- Silent Hip Hop Dance Party
- 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Libbey Court
- Put on interactive headphones and listen to family-friendly hip hop music and King's "I Have a Dream" speech
- Collectible Digital Artwork How-To
- 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Libbey Court
- Learn how to collect digital artwork created by Osinachi and Yusuf Lateef for the Sankofa Carnival
- Art activities
- 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at Family Center
- Hands-on art activities honoring the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. Pre-registration online or in-person is requested and space is limited
- A Conversation with Bishop Culp
- Noon-1 p.m. at Little Theater
- Bishop Robert A. Culp will talk about his experience in the historic 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, meeting Martin Luther King Jr. and his journey as a civil rights advocate
- Studio activities
- Noon-4 p.m. at Green Room
- Make a mixed-media button using Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement as inspiration
- Ask Me Docents
- 1-3 p.m. at New Media Gallery
- Learn more about artwork at the museum created by Black artists like Elizabeth Catlett, Wangechi Mutu and Kehinde Wiley
- African Art Teaching Collection
- 2-4 p.m. at Gallery 1
- Get a hands-on look at African art objects like a palm wine cup, akua ba doll, mud cloth and Ghanaian mask
SUNDAY, JAN. 14
- 4 p.m. at Glenwood Lutheran, 2545 Monroe St.
- Event is open to the public
- Keynote speaker will be state Sen. Paula Hicks-Hudson, who was the first Black female mayor of the city of Toledo
- Ruth Whittle, a leader of the church's annual MLK tributes who was on the front lines of the civil and voting rights movements growing up in Mississippi, is serving as chairperson for the event
- The event will prominently feature music from Toledo-area instrumentalists and renowned soloists Bradley Baker and Patricia McCauley fronting a combined choir of over fifty voices from various Toledo-area churches
MONDAY, JAN. 15
- 10 a.m. service at LoSalem Church at 660 Vance St.
- A symbolic march will follow the service and lunch will be distributed at the Martin Luther King Kitchen for the Poor located at 650 Vance St.
MLK DAY WEEKEND
- Free admission from Jan. 13-15
- Registration is not required in advance, but can be scheduled online at nmgl.org
SYLVANIA
FRIDAY, JAN. 12-SATURDAY, JAN. 13
"Fill the Freezer" 24-hour Casserole Marathon
- 3 p.m. Friday until 3 p.m. Saturday at San Damiano Campus Ministry House, 6675 Convent Blvd. in Sylvania
- Commemorating the work of Martin Luther King Jr., members of the Lourdes community will participate in a casserole-making marathon with a goal of 125 casseroles to benefit Toledo Labre outreach project
- Donations accepted Jan. 10 through Jan. 16
- To donate or for more information, contact Sister Barbara Vano at bvano@lourdes.edu or call 419-824-3861
TUESDAY, JAN. 16
- 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at Franciscan Center Commons
- Free of charge and open to the public
- Gore, a PinLeader podcast host, will explore King's philosophy on leadership and civility during an interactive community forum teaching how to effectively and peacefully engage in difficult conversations to foster inclusion
- Light lunch will be provided while supplies last
- Students may be eligible for class credit based on instructor's discretion
BOWLING GREEN
FRIDAY, JAN. 12
- 1 p.m. at Wood County District Public Library, 251 N. Main St.
- Tribute will feature keynote speaker Ana Brown, deputy chief of Diversity, Belonging and Multicultural Affairs at Bowling Green State University and member of Bowling Green Human Relations Commission
- Drum Major for Peace Award will be presented to Emily Dunipace, community engagement specialist at Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities
- Light refreshments will be served
MONDAY, JAN. 15
- 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Check-in and welcome at Bowen-Thompson Student Union
- Students, faculty and staff can check out opportunities and register through BGSUserves to get involved in civic engagement for BGSU and the Marvin Center's annual MLK Day of Service
FINDLAY
MONDAY, JAN. 15
- 10 a.m. at Anchor Park at the corner of Front and East streets
- Community invited to clean litter along MLK Jr. Way. Litter clean-up kits will be provided thanks to Blanchard River Watershed Partnership
- 5:45 p.m. at Church of the Living God, 701 N. Main St.
- Solidarity walk begins at 6 p.m. and ends at University of Findlay's Winebrenner Theological Seminary building, followed by prayer and reflection
- Celebration at church to follow
- Featured speaker is Jennifer Ashburn, a community servant and local educator
TIFFIN
MONDAY, JAN. 15
- 7 p.m. at Faith United Methodist Church, 75 N. Sandusky St.
- In-person or streamed online at Faith United Methodist Church's Facebook page
- Speakers include students from Heidelberg University and Tiffin University and the mayors of Tiffin and Fostoria
- Peacemaker Award presentation to community advocate Wilma Farmer
- Vocal selections and singing of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" and "We Shall Overcome"
BLUFFTON
TUESDAY, JAN. 16
- 11 a.m.-Noon at Bluffton University's Yoder Recital Hall
- Event is free of charge and open to the public
- Featured speaker is Pastor Steve Terry from New Life Church of God in Fort Wayne
MONROE
TUESDAY, JAN. 16
- Noon at south side of MLK Pedestrian Bridge in downtown Monroe
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 17
- 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at "S" Building Lobby
- Learn more about non-profits from Monroe County seeking volunteers and enjoy an international dessert
THURSDAY, JAN. 18
Coffee hour
- 10-11 a.m. at 1300 Cafe in "S" Building
- Discussion on King and his legacy of peace
- 3 p.m. on Zoom
Providing dinner to Oaks of Righteousness homeless shelter
- 5:30 p.m. with Community Outreach Committee
FRIDAY, JAN. 19
- 11 a.m. on Zoom
ALL WEEK
- Create an MLK quote bookmark craft project at the Monroe County Community College Library
If you have an event you would like to add to the above list for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, please email news@wtol.com
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