Baylor and Waco Community to Commemorate MLK Day with Day of Service

Media Contact: Baylor University Media and Public Relations, 254-710-1961
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by Cacey Vigil, student news writer

WACO, Texas (Jan. 16, 2020) – To celebrate the life and legacy of the late Civil Rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., communities across the nation will participate in MLK Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 20. King once said, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?" and to answer his question, Baylor University and the City of Waco will host various events and projects encouraging people to serve in their community.

MLK Day of Service is observed every year as “a day on, not a day off” and is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities. The event celebrates Dr. King’s legacy and provides Americans the opportunity to empower one another, strengthen communities, bridge barriers, create solutions for social problems and continue to move towards Dr. King’s vision of a “Beloved Community.”

Below are community events in Waco and at Baylor throughout the weekend to commemorate the holiday celebrating King’s legacy.

Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020

At 6:30 p.m., the Global Revive and Community Race Relations Coalition will host Black Justice – A Night of Speakers and Poetry at First Presbyterian Church of Waco, 1100 Austin Ave.

Friday, Jan. 17, 2020

At 11:30 a.m., the 33rd Annual Wreath Laying Ceremony will be held at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park, 300 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Waco. The ceremony will begin at noon. For more information, call 254-722-1474.

Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020

Baylor student volunteers will work with Baylor Campus Kitchen to prepare box lunches from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. They will be delivered on Monday's MLK Day of Service to volunteers working at community gardens throughout Waco and with the Brazos River Cleanup. For more information, contact Doriann Beverly, Senior Coordinator for Community Service, at Doriann_Beverly@baylor.edu.

Monday, Jan. 20, 2020

From 9 a.m. to noon, the 24th Annual Peace March and Observance organized by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, will take place at Indian Spring Park in Downtown Waco. Free lunch and entertainment will follow at Bledsoe Miller Community Center.

At 10 a.m. Mission Waco will host an MLK program and service at the Jubilee Theatre, 1319 N. 15th St. Participants will hear from renowned speakers and watch creative performances. Lunch is free, and the program will include a discussion. After lunch, participants will conduct community service projects. Group reservations are recommended. For more information, call 254-753-4900 or email John Calaway, executive director of Mission Waco, at jcalaway@missionwaco.org.

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the MLK Day of Service will take place at various urban gardens and include the Brazos River Cleanup with Keep Waco Beautiful, Waco Paddle Company and Act Locally Waco. Participants should wear close-toe shoes and pants and meet at the Waco Paddle Company Truck at 200 S. University Parks Drive.

At 5:30 p.m., the 34th Annual Candlelight Vigil will begin at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park, 300 MLK Blvd. The program will begin at 6 p.m. Seating will be available, and guests should bring a candle. For further information, call 254-722-1274.

Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020

At 6 p.m., Neighbor Night celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will be held at the Bobo Spiritual Life Center, 500 Speight Ave. The event will have free food for the first 200 students and is open to the Baylor community.

Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020

From noon to 1:30 p.m., the Baylor Department of Multicultural Affairs will host the University's annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Luncheon on the fifth floor of Cashion Academic Center, 1401 S. Fourth St. The luncheon celebrates the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and will include the discussion, “What if We Could Interview MLK in 2020?” For more information, contact Jeronda Robinson at Jeronda_Robinson@baylor.edu.

For more information about MLK community and service events, visit www.baylor.edu/diversity/MLKevents.

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 17,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 90 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.