THE BIRMINGHAM TIMES — Many point to King’s efforts in Birmingham in the spring of 1963, when he helped direct thousands of demonstrators to fill up Birmingham jails, as legacy-defining. His work during that pivotal year helped loosen the grip of segregation not just in the South but nationwide. However, King, whose birthday will be celebrated on January 17, began his work in the Magic City before 1963 and he did return afterwards. Here’s a timeline of King’s most memorable visits to the city.
THE ATLANTA VOICE — In a news release, the King Center in Atlanta said the 10 a.m. Monday service will be broadcast live on Atlanta’s Fox TV affiliate and on Facebook, YouTube and thekingcenter.org. The Rev. Natosha Reid Rice and Pastor Sam Collier will preside over the service. This year’s keynote speaker is the Rev. Michael Bruce Curry, presiding bishop and primate of The Episcopal Church.
THE CHICAGO DEFENDER — In this new year, and particularly around MLK Day, you can set a 2022 goal to volunteer as a family. Honeycomb’s schedule of upcoming volunteer opportunities is on their website. Families can, for example, sign up to prepare a home-cooked meal for those staying at a Wicker Park shelter, help protect a nature preserve along the Chicago River, pack and donate boxed meals for a food pantry in Auburn Gresham, or create activity kits for pediatric patients. With more than a dozen projects, there’s something for everyone.
THE CHICAGO DEFENDER — John Lewis was 25 when he marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, and was beaten by state troopers who fractured his skull. The Greensboro sit-ins at the Woolworth’s lunch counter were led by four college students. And the nine students who bravely integrated Little Rock Central High School in 1957 were all between fifteen and seventeen years old. The moment called for action, and Dr. King and countless other young, Black leaders stepped up and answered the call, by fighting against injustice and achieving real progress for the Black community.
NNPA NEWSWIRE — In commemoration of the upcoming Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (Monday, January 17, 2022) as well as Dr. King’s iconic, groundbreaking 1963 “I Have a Dream” speech, the Santa Monica College Emeritus Current Events class—co-taught by Nat Trives and Jay Johnson—welcomes distinguished guest speaker, Reverend Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr.
NNPA NEWSWIRE — Though “critical race theory” is a part of college level curriculum at law schools, the term has become a wide-ranging catch all in conservative circles. Many have loosely defined to mean any curriculum that includes efforts towards greater diversity and equity as well as discussions about how exclusion and bigotry has played a role in the shaping of American history and present-day events.
NNPA NEWSWIRE — The oldest son of the late civil rights leader called the more than 400 voter suppression bills in GOP-led states a reaction to the massive voter turnout in Georgia and other places that helped Democrats gain control of both chambers of Congress and the White House. Martin Luther King III and his wife, Arndrea, said part of their mission is to register new voters and fight suppression laws.
NNPA NEWSWIRE — While parades and other festive gatherings for the heroic civil rights leader will not occur this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, national and local organizations throughout the country still will honor Dr. King’s legacy.
Joliet has been awarded $76 million from the Illinois EPA to enhance water infrastructure, which will enable the city to replace 31 miles of deteriorated and undersized water mains, replace fire hydrants and valves, and improve water quality.
