UofL marks legacy of MLK with public events, day of service

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A tour of Louisville-area civil rights sites, a movie and a day of service are some of the ways the University of Louisville will honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. during a week of free, public events Jan. 13-20.

Most events are sponsored by the Cultural Center, 120 E. Brandeis Ave., and aimed at educating the community about King’s ideals of social justice, nonviolence, education and service. Key events during 2017 Martin Luther King week are:

• Jan. 13 – Louisville Downtown Civil Rights Trail, a bus tour of sites important during the struggle. The 11 a.m. -2 p.m. tour departs from the Cultural Center. Seats are limited and registration is required.
• Jan. 16 – Under the theme of “revolutionary multiracial dialogue,” a program featuring music, dance and speakers by the African American Theatre Program will run from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at The Playhouse, 1911 S. Third St.
• Jan. 18, – Women in the Movement Discussion, a talk by Kaila Story, an associate professor of women's and gender studies. Story’s noon-1:30 p.m. discussion at the Cultural Center is about women’s roles in the civil rights movement.
• Jan. 19 – “Children of the Civil Rights,” a documentary about a group of Oklahoma children and their six-year struggle against oppression prior to the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Discussion follows. Film begins at 6 p.m., Chao Auditorium, Ekstrom Library.
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Other MLK-related events specifically for the UofL campus community include:

• Jan. 16 – MLK Day of Service, one of UofL’s largest community service events of the year. Participants will board buses at 11:15 a.m. to visit nine local nonprofit organizations. Typical duties include painting, cleaning, winterizing homes and working with youth.
• Jan. 20 – lunch and MLK Dream Wall signing, noon-2 p.m., Cultural Center. People can share messages of unity, love, inspiration and equality as MLK Week concludes.

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