Good morning! As Martin Luther King Jr. Day approaches, communities throughout Kansas are preparing to honor the civil rights leader’s legacy with a variety of events. From service projects to scholarship awards, parades to film screenings, there are many ways to celebrate King’s message of unity and compassion.
In other news, nine students from Gordon Parks Academy in Wichita have been invited to Paris to help create a coffee table book and documentary film following in the footsteps of Gordon Parks, a renowned photographer and filmmaker. Lastly, the Historic Dunbar Community Center has been awarded a $25,000 grant from the Union Pacific Foundation’s Community Ties Giving program, which will be used to purchase and install a screen and projector for the center. Stay tuned for more updates on these stories and other news from around the region.
Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day with events throughout Kansas
As Martin Luther King Jr. Day approaches, communities across Kansas are preparing to honor the civil rights leader’s legacy with a variety of events. From service projects to scholarship awards, parades to film screenings, there are many ways to celebrate King’s message of unity and compassion. The events are being held in cities such as Hutchinson, Junction City, Kansas City, Lawrence, Manhattan, Olathe, Salina, Topeka, and Wichita. Read on to discover the different ways you can participate in your community’s celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Wichita students to create book in Paris, seek donations for trip
Nine students from Gordon Parks Academy in Wichita, Kansas have been invited to Paris to help create a coffee table book and documentary film following in the footsteps of Gordon Parks, a renowned photographer and filmmaker. The book, titled “Why I Needed Paris,” will follow Parks’ assignment for Life Magazine in the 1950s. The students, who will function as junior pro photographers, will need to raise $4,000 each to cover their flight and hotel expenses for the seven-day trip in May 2024. Community members can donate to help finance the trip, which is spearheaded by the Gordon Parks Foundation and ARISE, a local nonprofit spiritual ensemble serving as a fiscal sponsor for the trip.
Union Pacific Foundation grants $25,000 to support Historic Dunbar Community Center
The Historic Dunbar Community Center has been awarded a $25,000 grant from the Union Pacific Foundation’s Community Ties Giving program. The grant will be used to purchase and install a screen and projector for the center, contributing to the ongoing renovation phases aimed at creating a more inclusive and modern community space that will provide a wide range of recreational and educational opportunities for residents. The grant reflects the foundation’s commitment to supporting community spaces and improving the quality of life for individuals across its footprint.
PUT THESE MLK JR. EVENTS ON YOUR CALENADAR
Sat., Jan. 13, 11 am: MLK Parade, start Christian Faith Centre, north of Broadway to Douglas west to Chester I. Lewis Reflection Park Line-up 9:15 am. FREE
Sat., Jan. 13, 11:30 am – 1 pm: Alpha Phi Alpha, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Commemoration and Awards Luncheon, Wichita State University, Rhatigan, Beggs Ballroom, 1845 Fairmount, Recognizing individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to the community. Dr Brian Black, Global Director DEI Hexion Inc. COST $50 https://bit.ly/3NpSGfM
Mon., Jan. 15, noon: Greater Wichita Ministerial League 2024 MLK Worship Celebration, shifting the cultural climate. WSU Metroplex, 5015 E. 29th. Guest speaker Dr. Dorinda Clark Cole. FREE
Mon., Jan 15, 7:30 am: 8th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Heroes and Sheroes Scholarship Awards Breakfast. Wichita State University Beggs Ballroom in the Rhatigan Student Center. This year’s honorees include Dr. Kevin Harrison, Maggie Thompson, Jackie & Darren McGilbray, Mark McCormick, and Christina Long. COST $30. Tickets: contact Gerald Norwood at (316) 258-2749 or geraldnorwood@att.net.
Mon., Jan. 15, 2 – 4 pm: Luncheon for 2024 GWML Dr. MLK Celebration, WSU Eugene M. Hughes Metropolitan Complex, 5015 East 29th. Featuring lunch with guest speaker Dr. Dorinda Clark Cole. COST $40+ https://bit.ly/3GFOzZ8
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