Thanks to Jackie Simms for sharing these events with me. They are also included in our calendar. We’ve got a vibrant community of activists, cultural events, people working hard to make our community a place of uplift and opportunity. Let’s all SHOW UP!

• The MLK, Jr. Breakfast – This is truly a multicultural event held at the Grove Park Inn, Saturday, January 18th, 8:30 A.M.  This year there are two speakers.  One, an attorney turned filmmaker, Dawn Porter, founder of Trilogy Films and director of Gideon’s Army.  (Gideon’s Army, will be screened at UNCA on Friday night.)  The second speaker is Travis Williams, featured in the film as one of three public defenders who dedicate their lives and careers to seeking justice for those most in need.  An interview with Attorney Williams can be seen on Democracy Now, episode dated January 24, 2013, search under Gideon’s Army.  The Ethical Society of Asheville has requested a reserved table.  Tickets are $30 each    Additional information: www.mlkasheville.org
• “Fulfilling Dr. King’s Dream Through Education” will be the subject of the Sunday, January 19th meeting of the Ethical Society of Asheville, 2:00-3:30 PM at the Friends Meeting House, 227 Edgewood Road in North Asheville (off Merrimon Avenue near UNCA). Two programs will be highlighted in the panel presentation: Read To Succeed, and the MacNolia Cox Spelling Bee sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
  Marjorie Locke will discuss the range of after-school enrichment programs offered by Delta House, highlighting the spelling bee, which is named in honor of the first black child to become a finalist in the national spelling bee in 1936; in an apparent attempt to keep her from winning, the judges assigned her a word that had not been among those studied by all participants. Locke has an extensive background in the financial sector and, since retirement, has been active on the YWCA Board of Directors and as a volunteer, board member, and tutor with Delta House and its programs. 
  Read To Succeed (R2S) will be presented by three speakers: Isaac Coleman, focusing on the origin and founding of the program; Catherine Alter, discussing the current program’s goals, objects, and methods; and Pat Bastian, who will describe her experiences as an R2S tutor.  Coleman has an extensive resume in human services and housing issues as well as many years serving on community boards; he is the founder and chair of R2S. Alter is a retired Dean of Social Work, author of four books, and expert in helping at-risk children, and Bastian is currently an active community volunteer.
•  Following the Day of Service clean up project of the Burton Street Peace Garden January 20th, volunteers are invited for food and fellowship in honor of Fred Simms, who recently became unexpectedly ill and passed on December 16th.  This Day of Service project is sponsored by Green Opportunities.  Fred was a Green Opportunities Ambassador.  (His memorial service will be held February 15th 1:00 PM at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville building.)
• At the MLK, Jr. Weekend culminating event, The Candlelight Service,  6 PM Monday, January 20th, the Reynolds-Miller Chorale will provide the music.  The Chorale has been in existence almost 45 years and originally consisted of graduates of Stephens-Lee High School, the segregated African American High School in Asheville.  It has a rich history.

UNC Asheville will celebrate the life and work of Martin Luther King, Jr. with a series of special events January 17-24. Although classes will not be in session on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, student volunteers will turn their day off into “A Day On,” by contributing a day of service to community organizations on January 20, and the week includes films, workshops and other special activities.

These events will also be included in our calendar.