The Martin Luther King Jr. Coalition of Dane County will host multiple events to honor the annual MLK Jr. holiday with meals, church services and calls to action in honor of his legacy.
Between Jan. 14-20, the King Coalition has many events lined up for the week. Events range from choir practice to Madison and Dane County’s annual day of observance for MLK Day. Concerted efforts from the King Coalition aim to honor Dr. King’s legacy through highlighting brotherhood and action in the community.
The first in the King Coalition’s lineup starts with choir practice at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 2019 Fisher St. Choir practice will be held twice — on Jan. 14, 6:30 p.m. and Jan. 18, 11 a.m. — and will lead towards a performance at the annual day of observance. No tryouts are required to join the MLK Community Choir, but showing up to practice is.
The choir will be led by Leotha and Tamera Stanley. Leotha Stanley, a former Madison firefighter, has been the music director for almost half-century at Mt. Zion. Tamera, Stanley’s wife, is the Verona Area School District family, staff and community engagement liaison. Both were selected as the winner of the Carrel Pray Music Educator of the Year award from Madison Youth Choirs.
The first MLK event to kick off the week will take place on Friday, Jan. 17 with the MLK Free Community Dinner at Gordon Dining & Event Center, 770 W. Dayton St. The free dinner invites guests from all walks of life to bond and foster brotherhood over food with a buffet-style meal.
“It’s great food, great fellowship,” said Ed Lee, co-chair of the King Coalition.
The menu will consist of fried and baked chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, mac and cheese, biscuits, sweet potato pie and beverages. It is free to attend; no registration is required. The MLK Free Community Dinner will take place between 4:30-7 p.m.
On Sunday, Jan. 19, the annual MLK Ecumenical Service will take place at S.S. Morris AME Church on Madison’s East Side. The service cycles through churches in Madison. It brings together a diverse range of people from different backgrounds to encourage spiritual inclusivity and recognition of shared humanity through the development of the “Beloved Community” — one of Dr. King’s visions for a united front. The Ecumenical Service will start at 4:30 p.m.
On Monday, Jan. 20, the King Coalition will host its joint MLK Day Youth Call to Service in partnership with the Urban League of Greater Madison, the City of Madison and many more. It will feature a slew of workshops over five hours for youth grounded in the teachings of Dr. King.
“That will feature a variety of speakers and breakout sessions and really an attempt to educate young people about Dr. King, about the civil rights movement, but also really inspire them to commit to service throughout the year, in the spirit of Dr King,” said Lee. “It’s intended to be an inspirational, motivational opportunity for young people.”
Registration is required. MLK Day Youth Call to Service will be held at Central Madison Public Library, 201 W. Mifflin St., from noon-5 p.m.
(Photo: King Coalition)
The crowning event for the King Coalition will be the 40th annual Madison and Dane County observance of MLK Day. At the Overture Center’s Capitol Theater, 201 State St., Bishop Vashti McKenzie will serve as the keynote speaker.
McKenzie was the first female elected to lead the AME Church and currently serves as the President of the National Council of Churches. She was also appointed under the Obama Administration to the White House Commission of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships and named one of the 50 Most Powerful Religious Leaders in the World by Huffington Post.
Later, Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and Dane County Executive Melissa Agard will present MLK Humanitarian Awards. The award honors individuals in Madison who have made outstanding contributions in the spirit of Dr. King’s teachings. The MLK Community Choir will perform at the MLK Day observance.
Tickets are not required to attend. It will start at 5:15 p.m.
