This week and next, I will be joining many of our neighbors at events honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
During these celebrations of Dr. King’s life, we will often be reminded of his work fighting each and every day for equality and justice for all. I hope you will join me in honoring his legacy and his work not just this week or next, but each and every day of the year.
It’s easy to be distracted by the divisive rhetoric we hear in our state and country sometimes, especially in the midst of a presidential election. But as Dr. King understood so well, our diversity is a strength, not a weakness, and the differences we have pale in comparison to our shared goals and values. It’s up to us to remind others – and ourselves– of this and speak out against those who would divide us. We must be vocal advocates for our communities, our nation and our world. In Dr. King’s words, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
Chris
P.S. I hope to see you at one of the many MLK events in our community this weekend, which take place Friday through Monday:
Events in Arlington
MLK Advancing The Dream Awards Banquet Four-Day Celebration KICK OFF
Friday, January 15; 6:30 pm
Bluebonnet Ballroom, UT Arlington E. H. Hereford University Center, 300 W. First St
Tickets $45 – purchase at www.utatickets.com.
MLK Step Show Competition
Saturday, January 16; 11:00 am
Bowie High School Auditorium, 2101 Highbank Drive
Featuring Elementary, Junior High & High School step team performances. $10 admission at door – $5 admission for elementary students and all children under age 5.
MLK Multicultural Festival
Saturday, January 16; 3:30pm
Tarrant County College Southeast Campus, 2100 Southeast Parkway.
Free admission! Join us as we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King through music, food, cultural dance and more!
An Evening of Spoken Word
Saturday, January 16; 7:00pm
UT Arlington Bluebonnet Ballroom, 300 W. First St.
$1,000 cash prize to winning poet! $20 admission – www.utatickets.com.
MLK Hubert Moss Ecumenical Service
Sunday, January 17; 6:00pm
Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 2100 N. Davis Drive
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Evelyn Parker, Dean of the Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University. MLK Holiday Reception follows service hosted by the Arlington XI Theta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
MLK Day of Service
Monday, January 18; 9:00am
Volunteers meet at City Hall, 101 W. Abram St. for assignments
Make it a day on, not a day off. Sign up at www.arlingtonMLK.com. Continental breakfast made possible by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
The MLK Festival
Monday, January 18; 9am to 1pm
Levitt Pavilion in Downtown Arlington
Will feature live performances, art, food trucks and fun!
MLK Youth Musical Extravaganza
Monday, January 18; 6:30pm
Fielder Road Baptist Church, 1323 W. Pioneer Parkway, Arlington (Metro Center)
Free admission! Featuring a 400-voice elementary choir, soloists, first place step team winners, scholarship recipients and more!
Events in Grand Prairie
The Grand Prairie NAACP Branch 2016 MLK March/Parade.
Monday, January 18; 10:00am (parade lineup at 9:00am at the Liberty Bell on 317 College St.)
Liberty Bell on 317 College St and end at David Daniels Elementary Academy on S.W. 19th Street. MLK Annual Program will be held at Grand Prairie High School immediately after the parade.
Events in Mansfield
Bethlehem Baptist Church Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration
Sunday, January 17; 5:00pm
Bethlehem Baptist Church, 1188 W. Broad St., Mansfield
