Anna Martino, Balee Price and Michael Harris, from left, pick up trash in a littered lot between 11th and 10th Streets as they and other volunteers participate in a day of service on Monday, Jan. 18, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn.Musical performances, a unity breakfast, march and art exhibit are among more than a dozen events scheduled as part of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the federal holiday marking King's birthday that is observed the third Monday of each January. This year, the holiday falls on King's birthday, Jan. 15.
Additionally, 2018 marks the 50th anniversary of King's death in 1968 and the 50th anniversary of the 1968 Fair Housing Act. In commemoration, the city of Chattanooga is coordinating 50 community service projects around town on M.L.King Day.
M.L. KING DAY EVENTS
THURSDAY, JAN. 11
» Developing a Black Community Agenda: Eastdale Village United Methodist Church 1403 Tunnel Blvd., 6 p.m., free.
Hamilton County Black Caucus facilitators Kevin Muhammad and Timothy Careathers lead discussion.
» WTCI Preview Screening: Chattanooga Public Library, fourth floor, 1001 Broad St., 6 p.m., free but tickets must be reserved online at wtciTV.org/palace.
Preview screening of "I Am Not Your Negro," a journey into black history that connects the past's civil-rights movement to the present #BlackLivesMatter. Based on the James Baldwin book with Baldwin's original words spoken by Samuel L. Jackson.
The film will debut on WTCI on Monday, Jan. 15, at 9 p.m.
FRIDAY, JAN. 12
» Black Native Americans: The Untold Story: Eastdale Village United Methodist Church, 1403 Tunnel Blvd., 6 p.m. free.
Discussion led by Mahmood Abdullah, Sankofa Fund for Civic Engagement.
» What Woke Looks Like: Realizing Our Civic Potential: The Camp House, 149 E. M.L.King Blvd., 6-8 p.m., free.
Jazzanooga sponsors discussion about the future of Chattanooga's civic and artistic cultures, led by Josiah Golson, founder of 800 Collective. Performances by musician Seaux Chill and spoken-word artists Christian J. Collier and Olivia Bradley.
SATURDAY, JAN. 13
» 48th Annual Prayer Breakfast: Second Missionary Baptist Church, 2305 E. Third St., 9 a.m., $25.
The Rev. Lee Henderson of Second Oak Grove Baptist Church in Valdosta, Ga., is featured speaker.
SUNDAY, JAN. 14
» Black History Exhibit: "The Modern Day Paris Exposition," Association for Visual Arts, 30 Frazier Ave., 5:30-8 p.m., free.
Reception opens AVA's annual Black History Exhibit, influenced by W.E. B. Dubois and showcasing the black experience in America. Participating artists are Amy Ball, Julie Bauer, Jasmine Burson, Elena Burykina, Sean Clark, Jonathan Dean, Selena Ferrer, Cecilia Gainaru, Khambrel Green, Donte Hayes, Charles Pinckney and Andrew Travis.
The exhibit remains on view through Feb. 23.
» M.L. King Birthday Celebration: St. James Baptist Church, 1916 Duncan Ave., 4-6 p.m., free.
The party will celebrate the roles children played in the civil-rights movement. Marlena Toney is the featured speaker. Cake and ice cream follow the program.
MONDAY, JAN. 15
» Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service: Maclellan Gymnasium, corner of Vine and Douglas streets on the UTC campus, 8 a.m., volunteers are asked to join the city of Chattanooga administration in service throughout the city. To register: connect.chattanooga.gov/mlkdos
» Free Admission to Point Park: Lookout Mountain, entrance fee waived in honor of M.L. King Jr. Day.
» Love and Equity: An Interfaith Panel Discussion in Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View, 1 p.m., free.
King's message of love and equity for all was rooted in his faith, and is echoed in the teachings of other religions. Panelists Sush Shantha (Hinduism), Nur Sisworahardjo (Islam), Jonathan Butler (Christianity), Michael Dzik (Judaism) and Brandon Jones (atheism) discuss these themes in their belief systems. Charles Neal will serve as moderator.
» Memorial Parade and March: Line up at 740 E. M.L. King Blvd., 3 p.m., for march from Peoples Street to Bessie Smith Cultural Center, 200 E. M.L. King Blvd.
» Memorial Program: Orchard Knob Missionary Baptist Church, 1734 E. Third St., 5 p.m., free.
Lonnie C. King Jr., an Atlanta-based civil-rights organizer, is featured speaker.
» MLK Day Techtown Pop-up Camp: Bessie Smith Cultural Center, 200 E. M.L. King Blvd., 11 a.m.-2 p.m., free but online registration required at www.bessiesmithcc.org/event/mlk-day-techtown-pop-up-camp/?instance_id=886.
» Southern Adventist University Service Day: Multiple locations across Chattanooga, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
SAU joins Chattanooga's Day of Service to provide more than 1,000 volunteers to serve local organizations.
TUESDAY, JAN. 16
UPDATE: "O, King: A Tribute to the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.," scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in UTC's Roland Hayes Concert Hall, has been postponed because of the threat of snow and icy conditions. It will be rescheduled and a press release will be sent out once a date is selected.
» O, King: A Tribute to the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: UTC Fine Arts Center, 752 Vine St., 7:30 p.m., free.
Music, dance and spoken-word performances focusing on the messages of the civil rights icon. Performers include the Chattanooga Boys Choir, McCallie Men's Chorus, UTC Chamber Singers, Littleton H. Mason Singers, a step show by the Eta Phi chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, dance performance by UTC student Taylor Freeman and spoken-word performance by UTC staff member Terrence Banks.
FRIDAY, JAN. 19
» "Help Me Be Sensitive": Lee University, Dixon Center, Cleveland, Tenn., 6 p.m., free, hosted by Lee's Student Leadership Council.
» Martin Luther King Jr. Luncheon: UTC, University Center auditorium, 642 E. Fifth St., 10:30 a.m., free.
Journalist Roland Martin discusses "Social Justice in the 21st Century" with question-and-answer session following. Limited parking available in East Fifth Street garage.
- Compiled by staff writer Susan Pierce