MLK Day Events (updated 1.15)

Racial Disparities in Health Care: Let's Talk About It. | Sun, Jan 17 3-6 pm

Celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and help continue his work by taking part in this free Virtual Community Forum. The event will include music by Maple Avenue Ministries ensemble and a recitation of Dr. King’s words on health and racism. Panelists and people attending will discuss impact of racism in four sectors, concluding with The Way Forward toward proposed solutions. Sessions cover Inequities in Elder Care; Disparities in Childbirth; Mental Health: Race Matters; and Healing Our Youth.

Presented by the Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony (ACEH) in collaboration with the 1Cor.13Project and in partnership with the Holland Museum's Cultural Lens Series. Registration required (choose 2 break-out sessions). We would appreciate registrations by the close of the day on Friday, January 15.

Virtual DEI Day Event | Mon, Jan 18, 9 am to 6 pm

Hosted by Downtown Holland on its Facebook page. To examine diversity, equity, and inclusion issues related to Downtown Holland and to engage the local community in the conversation as Downtown Holland strives to become a place where all members of the community and all visitors are invited, welcome, and engaged. Event is free; go online to view the presentations listed below (a Facebook account is not required to attend):

• 9 am: Live discussion with DEI panelists Robyn Afrik (Ottawa Co), Esther Fifelski (City of Holland), Gloria Lara (LEDA), and Jeffrey Sorenson (OOTL).
• Noon: Prerecorded interviews with downtown business owners and representatives.
• 3 pm: Live discussion with panelists from downtown nonprofits: Sara Cozolino (Farmers Market), Sara DeVries (Herrick District Library), and Ricki Levine (Holland Museum).
• 6 pm: Prerecorded interviews with downtown business owners and representatives.

How Would You Change the World? | January 18, 10am-5pm

MLK Day at the Holland Museum. Free family event offering virtual resources, in-person activities, and MLK Activity Kits. Check the website at www.hollandmuseum.org. Sponsored by Spectrum Health Zeeland Community Hospital and Warner Norcross + Judd.

What Is the Color of Compromise? | January 18, 12:30pm 

In celebration of MLK Day, the Calvin January Series speaker will be Jemar Tisby, author of the award-winning book "The Color of Compromise: The Truth About the American Church's Complicity in Racism." Tisby is president of The Witness: A Black Christian collective, where he writes about race, religion, and culture; he also cohosts the podcast "Pass the Mic," which amplifies dynamic voices for a diverse church. Free, virtual presentation. 

The Legacy of MLK: Purpose, Truth and Justice  |  January 18, 6:30pm

With Yamiche Alcindor, White House correspondent for the PBS NewsHour and political contributor for NBC and MSNBC. Presented by Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids Community College, and Davenport University. Register here.

Diversity Lecture Series: "Pandemic, Post-Election Blues & Culture: Where Do We Go From Here?" |  January 27, 6pm

With Dr. Michael Eric Dyson. scholar of race, religion, and contemporary culture; University Distinguished Professor of African American and Diaspora Studies at Vanderbilt University; author of some 20 books, including Long Time Coming: Reckoning with Race in America and Tears We Cannot Stop: A Sermon for White America. Hosted by Grand Rapids Community College Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Register here.

Living an Abolitionist Life: Resistance, Creativity, Intersectionality, & Black Joy. | Mon, Jan 18, 7 pm

With keynote speaker Dr. Bettina Love and musical performance by Griot B in "Agitate: A Story Through Song." Sponsored by African Heritage, Inc., Lawrence University, and Fox Cities MLK Celebration Committee. Click here to Register

Do you know of any other MLK Day events in the area? Please contact Jason Craner at 494.2066.