The King Center Announces The 38th Annual King Holiday Observance Schedule, Events
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 5, 2023
Media Contact:
Momina Bryant – 404.437.1206
MBryant@thekingcenter.org
The King Center Announces The 38th Annual King Holiday Observance Schedule, Events
Theme: ‘It Starts with Me: Cultivating a Beloved Community Mindset to Transform Unjust Systems’
Atlanta, GA – Dr. Bernice A. King, CEO of The King Center, announces a schedule of programs and events in celebration of the 2023 King Holiday Observance. Beginning Monday, January 9th, 2023, and continuing through Monday, January 16, 2023, this year’s schedule includes a King Holiday Observance Kick-off Reception, Nonviolence365® Trainings, Beloved Community Global Summit, Beloved Community Teach-In, Beloved Community Youth Book Reading, Beloved Community Awards (formerly The Salute to Greatness Awards), King Day Community Service Projects, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service. The observance commemorates what would have been Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s 94th birthday.
“This year’s theme is It Starts with Me: Cultivating a Beloved Community Mindset to Transform Unjust Systems. Today, more than ever, there is a need for humanity to work towards creating a more just, humane, equitable, and peaceful world, where the Triple Evils of racism, poverty, and militarism cease to exist and love prevails. To create that world, we must first change our minds and ensure that our means align with our ends. Therefore, the charge is to start with ourselves, then connect with others, in “Cultivating a Beloved Community Mindset to Transform Unjust Systems,” said Dr. Bernice A. King.
King Holiday Observance Events
- The Kick-Off Reception and Book Signing is the opening event for the 2023 King Holiday Observance and the public’s invitation to join us in celebrating and commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s life and work. The reception will be held on January 10th, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM EST in The King Center’s Freedom Hall Atrium. Dr. Bernice A. King will sign copies of the King Center’s new children’s book, “It Starts with ME!”.
- Nonviolence365® virtual series, “Unconscious Bias” with Pragya Agarwal on January 9th and 10th, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM EST. This two-day session focuses on using inclusive words, language, and action to create a sense of belonging that builds the Beloved Community. During the session, themes of compassion across differences, understanding multiple worldviews, and bridging divides will be explored. The series will also look at the role of nonviolence in uncovering and addressing unconscious biases.
- Beloved Community Youth Book Reading on Wednesday, January 11th from 10:00 AM-11:00 AM EST. The reading and puppet presentation will feature the book, “The Little Bucket”, written and illustrated by Jeffrey Bates, with a puppetry presentation by Jimmica Collins and Meeka the Bunny from the Center for Puppetry Arts. The Little Bucket is a story to help children develop a sense of inner wonder and connect to their imagination.
- The 3rd Annual Beloved Community Global Summit will be held virtually on January 12th and 13th. Thursday’s January 12th general session is from Noon – 4:45 PM and a Youth Summit from 9:30 AM-11:30AM. Friday’s general session is 10:00 AM-4:30 PM. The Virtual Beloved Community Global Summit focuses on the 2023 King Holiday Observance theme, “It Starts with Me: Cultivating a Beloved Community Mindset to Transform Unjust Systems.” The 2023 Summit will bring together worldwide social activists to begin the difficult task of exploring the mindset needed to transform our society’s unjust systems.
The King Center will join the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District for this year’s King Day Community Service Projects to collect and distribute items to the homeless and unsheltered. Donations can be placed in receptacles located in The King Center’s parking lot at 449 Auburn Avenue, NE Atlanta, GA 30312 from January 9th to January 13th , and in the National Park Service’s parking lot on January 16th . For the list of acceptable items, visit thekingcenter.org./king-holiday-2023
“I appreciate all the participants, sponsors, partners, staff, and volunteers for their hard work and dedication in making this year’s King Holiday Observance a success. I am honored to continue the impactful work that my late mother, Mrs. Coretta Scott King, started. This King Holiday we are cultivating the way that we think by adopting a Beloved Community mindset to transform unjust systems.” said CEO, Dr. Bernice A. King.
For the full schedule of events during the King Holiday Observance, event details, registration, and sponsorships visit thekingcenter.org.
Our Partners
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, Ebenezer Baptist Church, The Carter Center, The National Center for Civil and Human Rights, AmeriCorps. Atlanta Downtown Improvement District, State of Georgia Martin Luther King, Jr. Advisory Council, Hands on Atlanta, Georgia Coalition for the People’s Agenda, Youth Service America, Center for Puppetry Arts, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. March Committee.
Beloved Summit Partners, The Carter Center, and The Center for Civil and Human Rights.
Our Sponsors
Delta Air Lines, Mars, Inc, Kia America, Wells Fargo, Papa John’s International, JP Morgan Chase & Co, McDonald’s, Starts With Us, Chick-Fil-A, The Coca-Cola Company, FedEx, Ford Motor Company Fund, Lowe’s, Cox Enterprises, KeyBank Foundation, Ariel Investments, Southwire, UPS Foundation, Ulta Beauty, Patagonia, Time, and Target Corporation.
About The King Center
The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change (The King Center) is a 501(c) (3) organization established in 1968 by Mrs. Coretta Scott King. The King Center is the official living memorial and programmatic nonprofit organization committed to educating the world on the life, legacy, and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The King Center serves to inspire new generations to carry forward his unfinished work, strengthen causes and empower change-makers who are continuing his efforts today. The King Center’s premiere educational initiative, Nonviolence365®, is based on Dr. King’s nonviolent philosophy and methodology. His teachings engage participants from various sectors of society, including emerging and next-generation leaders, in modules and exercises that enhance communication, leadership, interpersonal, and conflict reconciliation skills, as well as empower individuals to address injustice.
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