MLK Events Provide Unique Experience
Students enjoy a day off from school on Jan. 21, MLK Day, but the holiday is hardly a day of rest.
After all, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. rarely took a day off in his defense of civil rights and pursuit of social justice.
That’s why, for the past two decades, the Carnegie Center for Literacy & Learning in downtown has been the place to be for a memorable MLK Day experience.
As in years past, families with children 5-18 years old are welcome after the unity breakfast and downtown march to visit the Center from 12:30-2:30 p.m. No registration is required, and every family receives a free, brand new book.
After a free, hot lunch, activities include an inspirational speech at 1 p.m. by Tanya Torp, the executive director of Step by Step, a nonprofit program that provides support and mentoring to empower young single moms aged 14-24.
Torp also teaches the Carnegie Center class, History of Racism, which is offered for adults as part of the Lunch & Learn series.
Half-hour workshops follow at 1:30 and are repeated at 2. The Music Workshop with Joan Brannon, a percussionist and instructor at DrummingWorks, focuses on the culture of West African drumming.
The Poetry Workshop is taught by Angel Dye, a poet and African American Literature scholar.
Illustrator and designer Bryce Oquaye leads the Art Workshop. His work includes animation, comics, manga illustration and is inspired by his hip hop aesthetics.
During the Service Learning Project, participants will make welcome cards for families served by the Kentucky Refugee Ministries.
“All of the workshops have an art focus and are about finding your voice and understanding why you matter,” said Jessica Mohler, head of communications and marketing at the Center.
Celebrating the memory of Dr. King is always a worthy endeavor but maybe even more so in today’s climate of rising intolerance and increased polarization.
“The MLK Day event is a chance for families to participate in their community and appreciate the importance of service,” Mohler said.
“It’s also a chance to hear voices you may not normally hear.”
“On this day off, we want kids to be moving. Dr. King was constantly moving and that’s why he moved us.”