City of Orlando recently issued the following announcement.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and the Mayor’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission Announce 2022 Commemoration Events
Local Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Events to Honor the Life and Legacy of Late Civil Rights Leader
WHAT:
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and the Mayor’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission are proud to announce a variety of events to commemorate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. throughout the first quarter of 2022.
The Commission is a volunteer organization that includes business and community representatives appointed by Mayor Dyer to raise funds, produce programs, and coordinate events that promote the celebration of Dr. King’s legacy of service, equality, justice, freedom, peace, respect and inclusion for all.
In addition to this year’s events, the Commission invites the community to stand together and sign a pledge against racism and discrimination in all forms, at orlando.gov/mlkpledge.
Below is a list of this year’s events.
WHEN:
Sunday, January 9, 2022
5:30 p.m. - Candlelight Vigil and March
Orlando City Hall Rotunda, 400 South Orange Avenue
The Candlelight Vigil program begins at Orlando City Hall and participants will march to First United Methodist Church of Orlando.
6:30 p.m. - Interfaith Multicultural Celebration
First United Methodist Church of Orlando, 142 East Jackson Street
Following the Candlelight Vigil is the Interfaith Multicultural Celebration presented by the Interfaith Council of Central Florida, with guest speaker Florida House Representative Carlos Guillermo Smith. The celebration’s theme is “The Simple Art of Living Together” and includes representation from various faith traditions.
Monday, January 10, 2022
2:00 p.m. - Orlando City Council Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Presentation
City Hall, Council Chambers, 2nd floor, 400 South Orange Avenue
Mayor Dyer and the City Commissioners will proclaim January 9-17, 2022, as “Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Week” in the City of Orlando.
Thursday, January 13, 2022
7 p.m. - 18th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Forum
Virtual Event
During this virtual interactive moderated event, presented by the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, participants can listen and interact with panelists on the topic of "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
Event Registration: mlkluncheon.org
Friday, January 14, 2022
12 p.m. - 36th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Luncheon
Virtual Event
This virtual luncheon, presented by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, begins with keynote speaker, Alpha Phi Alpha Brother Roland S. Martin, a nationally acclaimed journalist, author, television host, and managing editor of #RolandMartinUnfiltered.
Following the keynote, the event continues by honoring students, community leaders, and organizations and a presentation of the prestigious scholarship Drum Major Award in Scholastic Achievement, Civic Affairs, Social Justice, Community Service, and Business.
Event Registration: mlkluncheon.org
Saturday, January 15, 2022
10 a.m. – 38th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Downtown Orlando Parade
Downtown Orlando, Orange Avenue
Join the Southwest Orlando Jaycees for an exciting event that will safely feature dance, comedy, community organizations, drumlines, music, artistic expression and more.
The parade theme is: “It starts with you: Shifting priorities to create the Beloved Community”
For more parade information, please contact: swojuniorchamber@gmail.com
Monday, January 17, 2022
7:30 a.m. - Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy 31st Annual Prayer Breakfast
First Baptist Church, 3000 South John Young Parkway
Presented in-person and virtually by the Southwest Orlando Jaycees and the Central Florida YMCA, the annual Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy Prayer Breakfast will commemorate the legacies of civil rights pioneers Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy, Orlando’s first African American City Council Member.
This year’s guest speaker will be Dr. Vikki Johnson, a granddaughter of Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy.
Held each year on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day for nearly three decades, this prayer breakfast traditionally brings together more than 1,000 civic leaders, pastors and Central Florida neighbors in faith, prayer and the shared commitment to strengthen the community and improve lives.
Event Registration: https://ymcacf.org/community/y-events/prayerbreakfast/
9 a.m. - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission’s Great Day of Service
4724 Raleigh Street
Join the Orlando Mayor’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission to clean up Lake Fran and surrounding area trails that lead to the Carver Shores neighborhood.
Due to limited event space, event registration is required at volunteer.orlando.gov/custom/501/opp_details/2671
9 a.m. - Seedlings for Civil Rights
Eagle Nest Park, 5165 Metrowest Boulevard
During the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, the City of Orlando’s Green Up and Keep Orlando Beautiful programs have coordinated efforts to beautify Eagle Nest Park. Volunteers will plant, mulch and remove litter and debris.
Event Registration: volunteer.orlando.gov/custom/501/opp_details/2661
Sunday, February 27, 2022
6:00 p.m. - MLK Gospel Concert
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Steinmetz Hall, 445 South Magnolia Avenue
The 7th Annual MLK Concert is produced and directed by Grammy Award Winner, Dr. Jeffrey Redding with Dr. Kelly Miller, Mr. Terrance Lane, and features UCF University Singers, UCF Women’s Choir, Orlando Choral Society, Garden Choir, Voci del Cuore, and more.
Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food donations for Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.
For more events, please visit: orlando.gov/Our-Government/Mayor-City-Council/Buddy-Dyer/Mayors-Committees/Dr.-Martin-Luther-King-Jr.-Commission/Events
Original source can be found here.
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