The Spartanburg community’s MLK Unity Week Celebration started more than a decade ago with a small group of people gathered around the flagpole outside City Hall reflecting on the words and purpose of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life. Today, this celebration has grown to include several events spread over two days, with thousands of citizens participating.
Events this year include:
Unity Walk and 5K Run, Saturday, Jan. 18, 9 a.m.: This walk and 5K run celebrates and renews the community’s shared sense of belonging. Warmup, team signups and welcome at 8:15 a.m. at the Spartanburg Community College’s Downtown Campus (220 E. Kennedy St.) First 100 participants receive a free T-shirt. Call (864) 596-2052 or email [email protected] for more information.
Day of Service, Monday, Jan. 20: The City and United Way of the Piedmont partner to help further Dr. King’s legacy by celebrating Jan. 20 as it was intended — not as a day “off,” but rather a day “on,” and a day committed to community volunteer service. Individuals and groups may register for different volunteer projects through UWP’s Get Connected online portal at www.connect2mycommunity.org. More than 20 projects are available. All volunteers are invited to one of two community breakfasts at 7 a.m. at either C.C. Woodson Community Center or Cleveland Academy of Leadership. Wofford President Dr. Nayef Samhat at C.C. Woodson and Northside Initiative coordinator Curt McPhail at Cleveland Academy will speak. Volunteers should check in at one of those two locations before heading out to their service projects.
MLK Unity Celebration, Monday, Jan. 20, 6:30 p.m.: This joyous event is held at Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium. The City’s Department of Community Services and the Human Relations Commission collaborate with other community organizations to coordinate the Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Week Celebration. The celebration includes keynote speaker Dr. Adolf Brown III, music from the Sounds of Diversity Choir & Orchestra, the MLK Awards for Humanitarian Excellence and announcement of the poster and photo contest winners held throughout all Spartanburg County Schools.
For more information, please call (864) 596-2052 or email [email protected]