January 17, 2020
Media Contact:
Scott Peterson, Director of Communications, Office of Public Information, (202) 277-9417
ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, the Office of Human Rights and the Howard County Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission will present the annual celebration of the life and legacy of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Sunday, January 19 in the Smith Theatre at Howard Community College’s Horowitz Visual & Performing Arts Center, 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway in Columbia. The reception will begin at 2:00 p.m. and the program will begin at 3:00 p.m. The celebration is free to the public.
“Dr. King, a molder of consensus, was a leader dedicated to the common good of our society,” said Ball. “Today’s celebration and service is a testament to his legacy, bringing together a diverse community that is inspired by his words and activated by his dreams.”
This family-friendly, multi-cultural event will include performances by diverse community groups and recognition of the 2019 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “Living the Dream” award recipients and the Student Poster and Essay Contest winners.
The Living the Dream Award honors an individual and an organization who exemplify the work and legacy of Dr. King. For the Student Poster Contest, elementary school students designed posters inspired by the acclaimed civil rights leader’s life. The Student Essay Contest challenged middle and high school students to write an essay in response to Dr. King’s words, “Racial injustice around the world. Poverty. War. When man solves these three great problems, he will have squared his moral progress with his scientific progress. And, more importantly, he will have learned the practicality of living inharmony.”
Residents also are encouraged to participate in the County’s “Day of Service Across Howard County” project on Monday, January 20. Volunteer opportunities and trainings include: “The I Can, I Will Create Peace” workshop, Hands-Only CPR and “Stop the Bleed” training and coupon clipping for veterans, among other great opportunities. Those interested in volunteering on the 20th, should visit www.volunteerhoward.org/hocomlkserve to sign-up or to learn more about service opportunities. All volunteers are invited to attend a kick-off celebration that morning at 9:00 a.m. at the Ascend One Building, located 8930 Stanford Boulevard in Columbia. Several organizations will have on-site volunteer opportunities and activities for individuals and teams.
Ball will be participating in the following “Day of Service Across Howard County” projects:
- 9:00 a.m. – Day of Service Across Howard County Kickoff at Ascend One Building, 8930 Stanford Boulevard, Columbia
- 9:45 a.m. – Food Collection at Ridgely's Run Community Center, 8400 Mission Road, Jessup
- 11:30 a.m. – Food Collection at Howard County Food Bank, 9385 Gerwig Lane, Suite J, Columbia
- 1:00 p.m. – Glen Mar Church, 4701 New Cut Road, Ellicott City
- 2:00 p.m. – Serving Food to Homeless Residents at Leola Dorsey Community Center, 10390 Guilford Road, Suite A, Jessup
The Howard County Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission was established to encourage and coordinate activities and ceremonies throughout Howard County to honor the birthday, ideals and legacy of Dr. King.
In case of inclement weather, call Evelyn Boulware at 410-313-6457 for an event update. For more information about the event, contact Evelyn Boulware with the Office of Human Rights at 410-313-6457 or email mlk@howardcountymd.gov.