University of Findlay’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Week 2020 will incorporate diversity and community service with several public events to honor the late civil rights activist and his work.
The University’s free MLK Celebration will be held at noon on Wednesday, Jan. 22 in the Winebrenner Building’s TLB Auditorium. The featured speaker is Daniel Hill, the author of White Awake. The event will be live-streamed on UFTV Productions’ YouTube page, which can be accessed here.
Hill is currently the pastor of River City Community Church, a vibrant, multiethnic church in the Humboldt Park neighborhood of Chicago, whose vision is oriented around the three pillars of worship, reconciliation, and neighborhood development. In his book “White Awake,” he addresses the recent eruptions of racial discord, anger, and overall polarization in America. By exploring the Biblical mandate for reconciliation, analyzing historical forces that have shaped our current reality, and illustrating through a personal story, Hill endeavors to chart a course for a theologically centered process of racial awakening. “White Awake” intends to help white Christians interact with both personal and social realities in the areas of race, culture, and identity, and empower them to be agents of reconciliation in our increasingly diverse and divided world.
Other public MLK, Jr. Week diversity and service events on UF’s campus will include:
- Toiletry Drive – From Jan. 21-24, donations of shampoo, soap, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and deodorant will be collected at the Alumni Memorial Union, Center for Student Life, Davis Street Building lobby, and the Buford Center for Diversity and Service at 1222 N. Cory St. Monetary donations will be accepted at the Buford Center. On Jan. 25, the collected toiletry items will be distributed, along with 10,000 pounds of groceries, at the mobile food pantry sponsored by UF and CHOPIN Hall.
- Buford Dialogue – On Jan. 23 at 12 p.m., a discussion about diversity and service will be held at the Buford Center. Food will be provided.
- Revive – On Jan. 23 at 9 p.m. at the Winebrenner Building’s TLB Auditorium, UF’s weekly contemporary Christian worship service, led by students, will be held.
- Mobile Food Drive Pantry – On Jan. 25 beginning at 6:30 a.m., a mobile food pantry will be held at the university. To volunteer, please contact David Chau at chaup@findlay.edu.
These University of Findlay events honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. are sponsored by the University of Findlay Diversity Initiative and the Buford Center for Diversity and Service. For more information, contact the Buford Center at 419-434-5798.
