Centenary's annual Dream Week honors MLK legacy
SHREVEPORT, LA — Centenary College’s 2019 Dream Week, a celebration of the legacy and achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., kicks off with the 11th annual MLK Service Day on Monday, January 21. Other programming during the week includes speakers, a film screening and panel discussion, and the 8th annual MLK Oratory Competition and Youth Leadership Awards Ceremony.
“The schedule of events for Dream Week 2019 as planned by the Office of Community Engagement and the Diversity Committee offers individuals significant ways to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” says Kaylan Walker, director of community engagement. “This annual celebration reminds us that we are still on a journey in search of a more perfect union. As Dr. King often stated, we must stay together, open our hearts, and trust that we want the best for each other. Keeping these words in mind, the Diversity Committee has selected # UNITY as this year's theme.”
All Dream Week events are free and open to the public. Centenary students can earn Passport Points at several events. The full schedule is available below and at centenary.edu/dreamweek.
Monday, January 21, 8:15 a.m.
11th Annual MLK Service Day
Centenary Fitness Center (Kick-Off)/Various Service Sites
Dream Week begins with Centenary students, staff, faculty, alumni, and community partners working together on the College’s 11th annual MLK Service Day. Caddo Parish District 3 Commissioner Steven Jackson will be on hand to welcome volunteers and thank them for their service at the kick off in the College’s Fitness Center.
Participants will help several local non-profit organizations with tasks such as landscaping, sorting donations, and cleaning. Service day sites and partner organizations include Common Ground, Shreveport Green, Renzi Education & Art Center, Stoner Hill Elementary School, MLK Health Center & Pharmacy, Volunteers of America, Garden Park Retirement Community, and The Renesting Project.
Registration for MLK Service Day is free and includes lunch and transportation. Check-in begins at 7:30 a.m. in Kilpatrick Auditorium and participants will be returned to campus at noon for lunch.
Online registration is available at centenary.edu/dreamweek.
According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, MLK Service Day is one of our nation’s biggest coordinated one-day service opportunities each year.
Tuesday, January 22, 11:15 a.m.
MLK Convocation
Anderson Auditorium
Speaker: Doratha “Dodie” Smith-Simmons, 1964 Freedom Rider and early member of the New Orleans Chapter of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE)
Wednesday, January 23, 6:30 p.m.
I Am Not Your Negro documentary screening and panel discussion
Whited Room
Panel discussion begins at 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, January 24, 11:15 a.m.
Annual MLK Convocation – “The Price is High”
Whited Room
Speaker: Dr. Christopher Edgar Lavan, Assistant Provost for Experiential Learning and Teaching Innovation, University of Tennessee
Thursday, January 24, 6:15 p.m.
A Conversation on Servant Leadership & Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Kilpatrick Auditorium
Co-sponsored by the Christian Leadership Center (CLC)
Speaker: Don Horton, partner at Diversity Matters, LLC
Friday, January 25, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Civil Rights Spotlight
“African-American Women and the Civil Rights Movement”
A collaboration between the National Organization of Women and the Black Student Union. Students will distribute information and show video clips highlighting African-American women and their role in the Civil Rights Movement.
Saturday, January 26, 1:00 p.m.
8th Annual MLK Oratory Competition and Youth Leadership Awards Ceremony
Mickle 114
This annual event presented by the Mahogany Ensemble Theatre in partnership with Centenary and the Shreve Memorial Library System honors the legacy of Dr. King and Northwest Louisiana’s rich Civil Rights heritage. The contest showcases the art of oratorical presentation and encourages the emerging leadership of talented youth in our community.
The oratory competition is open to all students in grades 3rd-5th (elementary division), 6th-8th (junior division), and 9th-12th (senior division). The Youth Leadership Award is open to young adults ages 16-21. To enter, email mahoganytheatre@hotmail.com. Applications are due Monday, January 14th. For more information, visit mahoganyensembletheatre.org or call 318.382.2841.