Leeto Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Lee University will commemorate the life and legacy of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a series of events beginning Monday, Jan. 20, continuing through the week. Events are designed to reflect on Dr. King's enduring impact on justice, unity, and equality and provide opportunities for community engagement, education, and celebration.

The week's theme, "A Day…On!" emphasizes action rather than rest, encouraging participants to honor King's legacy by engaging in learning and service. Gloria Scott-Richmond, director of racial and ethnic relations at Lee University, highlights the significance of the celebration.

"This will be a day of inspiration and education, a day to think and reflect on who we are and who we aspire to be," says Scott-Richmond. "We aspire to be a school that listens well and is aware of biblical equity and empathy, and we hope the community will join us as we honor Dr. King and the impact his life and work continues to have on our world."

The celebration begins Monday with the annual Cleveland Unity March in downtown Cleveland at 9 a.m. Participants are encouraged to gather at the Courthouse by 8:45 a.m. Following the march, refreshments will be provided in Lee University's School of Business lobby, and a community worship service will be held at 10:15 a.m. in Pangle Hall, located at the corner of Church Street and Central Avenue.

After a lunch break, afternoon events will provide additional opportunities for reflection and learning. Various seminars hosted in the Humanities building, a Living Museum in the Centenary Room, and a Quiz Bowl and Student Presentations in the Science and Math Complex will occur from 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Squires Library will provide a quiet space for reading and reflection from 1:30-4:30 p.m. in the Reading Room. A drum circle will take place in the Science and Math Complex Great Room and lesser-known speeches by King will be featured in the Communication Arts Building Screening Room from 2-3:15 p.m.

Beginning at 3:30 p.m., there will be an Art Activity in the Communication Arts Building, Room 204. During this time, there will be a Music of the Civil Rights Era presentation in the Johnson Lecture Hall, located in the Humanities Building on Paul Conn Parkway.

Events will continue at Lee University through the week. On Tuesday, Jan. 21, at 10:45 a.m. a chapel service will take place in the Conn Center with a message from Bishop Demetris Pressley, pastor of Livingston Street Church of God in Orlando, Florida. Later that evening there will be "A Sing-a-long Tribute to the Life of Richard Smallwood" in The Lee Chapel.

On Thursday, Jan. 23, another chapel service will be hosted at 10:45 a.m. in the Conn Center to honor African-American trailblazers. Both morning chapel services will be livestreamed on https://leeu.live

The week of celebration will conclude on Friday, Jan. 24, at 7 p.m. with Lee University Culture Fest: The United Nations of Lee, held in the Conn Center.

Members of the Cleveland Community are encouraged to join faculty and students for the celebrations. "We look forward to joining with both our local community and the broader region, our brothers and sisters, and churches from the north, south, east, and west," says Scott-Richmond. "Let's march together, worship together, and celebrate…together!"

For more information or a detailed schedule of events, visit leeuniversity.edu/adayon/ or call (423) 614-8238.