In celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Alma College and Central Michigan University will continue to celebrate amidst COVID-19 concerns.
For Alma College, students, staff, and faculty will observe Martin Luther King Jr. Week through a variety of activities including:
- A chapel service centered around the theme of social justice in a conflicted society which will be led by Alma College Chaplain Andrew Pomerville and broadcast on social media. The service starts at 10:30 a.m. in the college’s Dunning Memorial Chapel.
- A clothing drive hosted by the Alma College AmeriCorps group and the Diversity and Inclusion Office is scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m. at the college’s Center for Student Opportunity in Tyler-Van Dusen Campus Center. The goal is create a closet space for LGBTQ+ people to receive clothing in a space free from barriers and judgement which will be available at the coffee shop Highland Blush in downtown Alma.
- Social justice educator, Jen Fry, will be holding a keynote address and workshop which will be presented in-person in the Presbyterian Hall at the Remick Heritage Center and will be broadcasted live on Zoom from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The keynote address is titled “Pushing Forward Means Being Uncomfortable” and Fry will speak on issues of diversity, equity and inclusion. Fry will also facilitate dialogue between small and large groups on campus on the best practices to build a campus community with a focus on anti-racism. Contact Donneha Blake at blakeda@alma.edu or call (989) 463-7463 for information about register for the Zoom session as space will be limited for the in-person presentation.
- “The MLK Vigil: A Tribute to Black Lives” is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. which is hosted by the Alma College Black Student Union, Multi-Cultural Student Union and the Diversity and Inclusion Office. The vigil offers an opportunity to commemorate the accomplishments of Black lives lost. It will begin at Stone Recreation Center and continues through to McIntyre Mall.
- A spoken word poetry reading will be held over Zoom from 7 to 9 p.m., which is hosted by the Alma College English Department and the Diversity and Inclusion Office. The event is open to the public and all levels of skill and experience are welcome. Participants are encouraged to sign up at tinyurl.com/almaMLKpoetry.
