There are many ways for TCU community members to honor civil rights leader the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. this year in a safe and meaningful way. Activities on and around the official holiday, Monday, Jan. 18, include select in-person and virtual opportunities.
"Martin Luther King, Jr. led the fight for racial justice and equality for all,” Aisha Torrey-Sawyer, director, Inclusion and Diversity Initiatives, said. “He worked tirelessly to make a difference for our nation and fought against social injustice. We honor him for what he achieved in his life as well as the inspiration he provided to ensure his work continued."
Check out these events including a MLK Day of Service involving the TCU Alphas and the Office of Inclusiveness and Intercultural Services, an online film screening, moderated discussions and more. (If you have an on-campus activity that we missed, let us know by emailing news@tcu.edu and we’ll update our coverage!)
- MLK Day of Service and MLK Stone of Hope Award 2021
The TCU Alphas (Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.) and the Office of Inclusiveness and Intercultural Services will participate in a MLK Day of Service at New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 18. The “Food Bowl for Your Soul” event will kick off the 2021 season of the Redemption Bowl. Participants will team up with faith and community leaders to distribute “bags and boxes of blessing” in the form of fresh food, hand sanitizer, face masks and shields in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
In addition, the MLK on Main Street Committee has selected TCU recipients Timeka Gordon, director of Inclusiveness and Intercultural Services and Community Scholars Program for TCU; TCU Football Coach Gary Patterson and his wife, Kelsey; and Chauncey Franks, Life & Character Coach for TCU Fellowship of Christian Athletes, to receive the 2021 MLK Stone of Hope Award. Awards will be presented at 10 a.m. For more information about the event, contact newmountrosefw@gmail.com or call 817-966-7625.
- City of Fort Worth’s virtual film screening and discussion
The critically acclaimed film John Lewis: Good Trouble will be presented virtually, followed by an online moderated discussion. The movie examines the relationship between the Rev. King and the late U.S. Congressman John Lewis. Directed by celebrated filmmaker Dawn Porter, it chronicles the life and career of the Democratic representative from Georgia and uses rare archival footage to explore his childhood experiences, social activism and meeting with King in 1957.
Register for the event to receive a link to a virtual screening room, where you can watch the film through 7 p.m. Jan. 14.
Register separately here [expired link removed] for a moderated discussion via Webex with Christina Brooks, Fort Worth's Chief Equity Officer and Director of the Diversity & Inclusion Department, at 7 p.m. Jan. 14.
- City of Fort Worth virtual panel discussions
"The Importance of Creating an African American Museum in Fort Worth," moderated by Assistant City Manager Fernando Costa, will feature panelists John L. Barnett, DDS; Jason Shelton, Ph.D.; and Andy Taft, president of Downtown Fort Worth Inc., from noon-1:30 p.m. Jan. 14.
"King’s Path of Social Gospel," a virtual discussion led by Dr. Dwight Watson and presented by the Fort Worth Public Library and the Fort Worth Diversity & Inclusion Department, will be presented for free from 6-8 p.m. Jan. 18.
Based on newly declassified files, Sam Pollard’s resonant film MLK/FBI explores the U.S. government’s surveillance and harassment of Martin Luther King Jr. The film screens five times at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, Jan. 15-17. Tickets range from $7-$10 per person and may be purchased here.
- YouTube MLK Tribute
A Tribute to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. featuring his renowned “I Have a Dream Speech” will be presented online via YouTube from 3-4 p.m. Jan. 18.
For more 2021 MLK events happening in Fort Worth, visit NBCDFW’s website, The National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum and Hall of Fame website or CultureMap Fort Worth’s website.