Rock Island’s Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center is readying for its 40th Annual Memorial Service and Awards Celebration in honor of the late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
The event, which will be Monday, Jan. 16, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, comes one week after the Rock Island City Council for the first time approved recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day as an official city holiday.
City Manager Todd Thompson requested that Martin Luther King Jr. holiday be added to the list of paid holidays at the request of city workers. As a result of the unanimous council vote, city employers will get the day off Monday and every MLK day thereafter.
“It is gratifying to see these city officials embrace the importance of Dr. King’s vision for equity and justice by recognizing this holiday,” said MLK Center Director Jerry Jones.
He added: the holiday is important for “remembering the work and aspirations of a great Black American hero toward inspiring all to seek a greater ideal. It is about acknowledging the challenges and the greatness that exists in our communities. It is about recognizing the injustice in our history and how the work of this man has pointed the way toward reconciliation and redemption.”
Rev. King’s contributions also will be featured at Monday’s memorial service at the MLK Center, 630 9th St., Rock Island.
LaDrina Wilson, president & CEO of the Quad Cities Chamber, will deliver the keynote speech and KWQC TV6 anchor Redrick Terry will act as master of ceremonies. This year’s theme is: “Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle.”
The service will take place in the Martin Luther King Center’s Ida Robinson Banquet Room (630 9th St.), and will also be live-streamed via YouTube (bit.ly/3W9c562) and Facebook (facebook.com/MLKCenterRockIsland). A recording of the event will be available following the memorial service.
A variety of performances and presentations in honor of Rev. King will be presented, including:
- The “I Have A Dream Award” presented to a Rock Island citizen for outstanding community service.
- Original spoken word piece by Aubrey Barnes entitled, “Rocks Don’t Roll.”
- Musical selection performed by Ashley Dean.
- M.L. Lockhart Scholarship.
- Black Hawk College Commit to Diversity Scholarship.
- Youth Expression Contest winners.
Funding for the event is provided by The Rauch Family Foundation, the Doris and Victor Day Foundation and the Quad City Community Foundation. In-kind support is being provided by Modern Woodmen Printing and West Music.
The Martin Luther King Center inspires greatness in the Quad Cities through community-building, education and service. Major programs currently include Substance Use Prevention; Teenage Pregnancy Prevention; COVID-19 Community Outreach; Family Advocacy Center; free after-school and summer programs for children aged 6-14; a variety of clubs for people of all ages; free tax preparation assistance; and four annual events for the community.
For more information, call (309) 732-2999.
