Looking for a Way to Celebrate the
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
in Columbia?
There are several special
activities planned to celebrate the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday this
year. The University of South Carolina is kicking things off in the days
prior to the holiday with a legal symposium, slated to take place at the
university’s law auditorium, beginning at 7:00pm on Thursday, January 17th. That event will be followed on Friday,
January 18th, by a 7:30am celebratory breakfast and awards ceremony
at Williams Brice Stadium, at which Governor Nikki Haley is scheduled to
speak. The annual MLK Gospel Fest—featuring musical groups such
as: The USC Gospel Choir, The Latta R.
Thomas Singers of Second Calvary Baptist Church, The Bethel AME Church Choir,
and The Word of God Church Choir & Men of Praise—will take place at the Koger Center at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, January
20th.
On the actual King holiday, events
begin at 8:30am with a special prayer service and inspirational salute to Dr.
King at the historic Zion Baptist Church in downtown Columbia.
Next, attendees will be invited to join the SCNAACP’s 13th annual King
Day at the Dome march from the church to the South Carolina State House, where
march organizers are expected to once again call for the removal of the
Confederate Battle Flag from the State House grounds and press for the
expansion of racial equity throughout the state. According to the SCNAACP, this year’s rally
will have a mental health focus, in response to the growing number of instances
of gun violence that have taken place around our country in recent months.
In keeping with Dr. King’s
vision of different people coming together in peace, to help and support one
another, this year’s celebratory events will conclude with a day to service. The King Days of Service project, spearheaded
by the United
Way of the
Midlands and the University of South Carolina, will take place throughout the coming days. Several different service projects are slated
for completion across the city during this time. To register as a volunteer or learn more
about service opportunities in your area, visit www.uway.org or call 803-758-6987.
For more information about The University of South
Carolina’s Martin Luther King Jr. commemoration, feel free to call Carl Wells
(803-777-3854) or send him an email (wellscr@mailbox.sc.edu).
