Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration
The City of Ames, Iowa State University, and the Ames/Story County MLK Celebration Committee will honor the life and work of Martin Luther King Jr., through a hybrid celebration planned for 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, in the City Hall Auditorium, 520 6th St.
Anita Rollins, a member of the Ames City Council, will deliver the keynote address. Rollins managed the Iowa State University Science Bound program for more than 20 years, helping to ensure the academic success of thousands of students of color. She has also been a science communications specialist, health educator, and program director.
The winners of an essay contest for Story County high school students inspired by King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” will be announced during the city program, and the Ames Human Relations Commission will present its annual Humanitarian Award in honor of King’s birthday. Birthday cake will be available in the Ames City Hall Gymnasium at 6 p.m. prior to the keynote address. Iowa State’s Parks Library and the ISU Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are among the sponsors of the event.
The Workspace at the Memorial Union, located in the east basement of 2229 Lincoln Way, is inviting all ages to honor King with creative activities between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday. These free activities include freedom quilt squares and MLK coloring pages. Everyone will also receive a Black Lives Matter button. Free parking is available for this event in the MU ramp adjacent to the building.
There are no classes, and most university offices are closed Jan. 16 to mark the holiday.
More information: www.CityOfAmes.org/AHRC.
Additional events will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 18 (“Let Freedom Ring” carillon concert on campus at 11:50 a.m.) and Monday, Jan. 30 (a lecture by Bree Newsome at 6 p.m. in the Memorial Union Great Hall).
