Public Invited to 39th Annual Dr. MLK Jr. Countywide Celebration

Events are FREE and open to the public

The public is invited to the 39th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Countywide Celebration this month.

On Sunday, January 19, the celebration begins at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts in Urbana. Rev. Dr. Claude Shelby, Pastor Emeritus at Salem Baptist Church in Champaign, will serve as keynote speaker at the event.

During the ceremony, three community members will be honored with prestigious awards in recognition of their work to uphold the principles and ideals of Dr. King. The awards include the Doris Hoskins Prestigious Community Service Award, the James R. Burgess, Jr. - Susan Freiburg Humanitarian Award, and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Outstanding Achievement Award.

Doors open at 4 p.m., the community choir begins 4:30 p.m., and the program begins at 5 p.m. This event is FREE and open to the public.

On Monday, January 20, there will be a Unity Breakfast at the Vineyard Church of Central Illinois on 1500 N. Lincoln Ave., in Urbana. The event begins at 8:30 a.m. It is also FREE and open to the public.

Each year, the Cities of Champaign and Urbana come together with Champaign County, the Village of Rantoul, Parkland College and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to host this countywide celebration honoring the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
 

More information can be found at mlkcelebration.org.