DuPage events connect King's legacy to modern issues

When the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech, he stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial with the end of slavery 100 years behind him and the conviction that men and women and boys and girls of all backgrounds could work together to remove the chains of racism still binding the nation.

In his time, King called for justice, for equality, for us to see each other as people rather than as a racial stereotype. This was his dream.

Just more than 50 years later, echoes of his words can be heard in protests of police shootings of black men, in Muslims' efforts to honor their religion and defend it against those who would label them un-American.

In events honoring King next week, speakers who have studied the civil rights leader's legacy and who strive to lead us down the path he walked will discuss how his example can be a light to lead the nation in a time of political and social unrest. Colleges, churches and civic organizations have organized breakfasts, concerts, speeches and service days to bring King's mission into our modern lives.

Here's a look at what's coming ...

Aurora

Aurora will honor King's life and legacy Monday, Jan. 18, with a Day of Service for students and a community celebration featuring poet Nikki Giovanni.

Middle and high school students can make a difference in their community by signing up to help at the downtown or west branch of the Aurora Public Library, Countryside Care Center, Crossroads Church, Elmwood Nursing Home, Hesed House, Jennings Terrace, Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry, SciTech Hands-on Museum or Sunnymere Senior Housing. Participating students will receive an award at the community celebration.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration begins at 6 p.m. at East Aurora High School, 500 Tomcat Lane. The evening will feature student performances as well as Giovanni's keynote address.

Giovanni, whose early work reflected the civil rights movement of the 1960s, speaks of peace, perseverance and hope - themes that reflect King's own words.

For information, call (630) 256-3360, email myaurora@aurora-il.org, or visit aurora-il.org/mlk/.

Benedictine University/COD

The 21st annual Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast, co-hosted by Benedictine University and the College of DuPage, features guest artist Keith M. Kelley and keynote speaker Arnette R. Hubbard.

Hubbard, a judge of the Cook County circuit court, has focused on voter rights and worked for social change and civil rights. She was the first woman president of the Cook County Bar Association, the country's oldest African-American bar association, as well as of the National Bar Association. Kelley is executive director and lead instructor at the Spoken Word Academy of Chicago.

The breakfast, which raises money to award two students from each school $1,000 scholarships, begins at 8 a.m. Monday, Jan. 18, in the Krasa Center on the Benedictine campus, 5700 College Road, Lisle. For information or reservations, visit cod.edu/mlk.

Afterward, Benedictine University invites the community to join its Day of Service from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Volunteers can donate blood, create Valentines for veterans, work on projects for local Ronald McDonald Houses, organize birthday party packages for children in need, pack backpacks with personal hygiene items for homeless people and more. Those unable to volunteer are encouraged to donate.

For information, contact Joan Henehan at jhenehan@ben.edu or (630) 829-6617.

Carol Stream

Theon Hill, a communication professor at Wheaton College, plans to talk in Carol Stream about how the example King set during the civil rights protests of the 1960s can help guide the nation through the current political and social unrest.

Hill began studying King and the civil rights movement when he was in college and now is nearing completion of a book titled, "Preserving the Legacy of King in the Age of Obama."

He'll speak at the 17th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 18, at Wheaton Christian Center, 610 E. North Ave., Carol Stream. Attendees are invited to arrive by 6 p.m. to join a peacemaking discussion circle led by RESTORE: Carol Stream Peacemakers.

For information, visit outreachcommunityministries.org.

North Central College

North Central College in Naperville will honor King's legacy with speeches, performances and a keynote address during its annual MLK Week.

Keynote speaker Patrisse Cullors cofounded #BlackLivesMatter and will discuss the social media posts that gave rise to the protest movement when she speaks at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19, in the college's Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. Tickets are $5 and available at the door or in advance at northcentralcollege.edu/showtix or (630) 637-7469.

Chicago Sinfonietta opens MLK Week with its "Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr." at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 17, in Wentz Concert Hall. The concert begins and ends with gospel and spirituals from the Apostolic Church of God Sanctuary Choir. Tickets are $60, $48 and $10 and are available by calling (630) 637-7469 or visiting northcentralcollege.edu/showtix.

Leah Gunning Francis, associate dean for contextual education and assistant professor of Christian education at Eden Theological Seminary, will talk at 12:15 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, in the college's theater at Meiley-Swallow Hall, 31 S. Ellsworth St. She has been an advocate for understanding in the weeks following the shooting of Michael Brown last August. For information, email college Chaplain Eric Doolittle at eldoolittle@noctrl.edu.

Wheaton

The "Live the Dream" Celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. begins at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 18, at Gary United Methodist Church, 224 Main St., Wheaton.

The 26th annual public celebration of King's life will feature former Gary pastor the Rev. Dr. Tracy Malone as keynote speaker. Malone is the district superintendent for United Methodist Churches. Choirs from the Second Baptist Church and Gary United Methodist will sing, and the SBC Praise and Dance Team and the Waubonsie Valley High School Diamond Steppers will perform.

For information, visit dupagemlk.org.