On Friday, January 12, 2018, the State of North Carolina will honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with its annual Let Freedom Ring bell ringing and State Employees’ Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Observance Program in Raleigh, NC. Governor Roy Cooper and MLK Commission Chair Rev. James White will provide remarks on Dr. King’s teachings about nonviolence as written in his 1963 Strength to Love collection of sermons.
The bell ringing will occur at 11:55 a.m. during the lighting of the Unity candle immediately before the annual Observance Program which begins at 12:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 99 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh.
At the request of Dr. King’s widow, Coretta Scott King, since 1986 the nation has commemorated the birthday and philosophy of Dr. King with a bell ringing ceremony. The ringing of the bell signifies personal conviction and community involvement and provides an opportunity for reflection.
Also during the State Employees’ MLK Observance Program, the winner of the John R. Larkins Award will be announced. Each year, North Carolina honors a state employee with the Larkins Award in recognition of his or her commitment to justice and equality.
Gov. Cooper this week proclaimed January 15 as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in North Carolina and designated it as a Day of Service in honor and remembrance of Dr. King.
Communities across the state are encouraged to host a commemorative bell ringing on the MLK Jr. Day of Service to reflect on Dr. King’s philosophy of harmonious living and to remember his commitment to justice and his vision to create stronger, more unified communities. North Carolinians are encouraged to attend ceremonies and participate in public service opportunities in honor of Dr. King. To promote Dr. King’s work, the MLK Commission announced today the winners of its 2018 grants to promote leadership and nonviolence education for young adults. Out of 24 applicants, six non-profit organizations were selected to receive a total of $5,000 from the Commission. The winners of the 2018 MLK grant awards are:
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HOLLA! (Helping Our Loved Ones Learn and Achieve) Community Development Corp. of Anson County: The proposed program, MLK-JR (Making Life Kind-Just and Righteous), is designed to engage youth in a series of events from January through October 2018 to bring awareness of Dr. King’s teachings. Awarded $1,000. Contact: Leon Gatewood, 704-694-3552 or 704-694-9147, www.HOLLA.ws .
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Joshua Education Services of Mecklenburg County: The proposed program seeks to build a culturally responsive community that promotes and sustains the value of nonviolence. The program will incorporate digital skills to author messages including songs, video and social media for youth presentation to their peers. Awarded $667. Contact Darnell Edwards, 980-312-9569, www.joshuaeducation.org.
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LEAD Girls of NC Inc of Forsyth County: The program will engage girls ages 11 to 15 in character development and strategies to challenge peer pressure and bullying. The after-school and weekend workshops are hosted in a fall and spring series. Awarded $500. Contact Joy Nelson Thomas, 336-517-6044, www.leadgirls.org.
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Mediation Center of Eastern Carolina: In partnership with the Boys and Girls clubs of the Coastal Plain, this multi-week program aims to engage youth in awareness of Dr. King’s teachings. Each young person who participates will develop and present a personal project on Dr. King and nonviolence at a community celebration. Awarded $933. Contact Sandra Spencer, 252-758-0268, www.mceconline.org
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Movement of Youth / My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) of Orange County: Creation of A Dream Revitalized to engage youth in identifying discrimination and its effects, identifying historic and modern-day community activism techniques and determining resources needed to participate in positive social change as a young person. A Dream Revitalized will be held in February 2018 in Orange County. Awarded $1,000. Contact Atrayus Goode at 800-956-3820, www.movementofyouth.org.
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Sandhills Community College plans a January 2018 quiz bowl competition, a February 2018 oratory competition and a March 2018 poster competition to engage students in awareness of Dr. King’s legacy of nonviolence. The events will be held in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Moore County, the Omicron Omega Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority ASCEND program, SCC Phi Theta Kappa, SCC Male Mentoring team and the SCC Ambassadors: Awarded $900. Contact Alfreda Stroman, 910-695-3872, www.sandhills.edu.
Created in 1993, the NC Martin Luther King Jr. Commission endeavors to promote among the people of North Carolina an awareness and appreciation of the life and legacy of Dr. King. In this 50th year since Dr. King’s passing, the Commission urges each citizen to ignite within themselves the passion for fairness and justice for our communities. The Commission is part of the NC Department of Administration.
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