Penn State Behrend to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. with week of activities

ERIE, Pa. — Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, will honor Martin Luther King Jr. with a week of events and activities beginning Monday, Jan. 15.

Included as part of the programming is the presentation “Which Lives Matter?,” an educational program where poet and activist Monti Washington helps students explore the history, conditioning, stereotypes and racism that divide communities and the nation. The free presentation will be held from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Jan. 15 in the McGarvey Commons of the college’s Reed Union Building. Dinner is included.

The following additional events, also all free and open to the public, will be held throughout the week:

• Monday, Jan. 15: Annual Martin Luther King March in Downtown Erie: “Marching for Jobs and Income in Erie.” Join the Association of Black Collegians and other members of the campus community as they participate in Erie’s annual MLK March. Participants will meet at 11 a.m. in the Reed Union Building’s lobby and ride an EMTA bus to the site of the march.
• Penn State MLK Day of Service – ServErie. During the MLK Day of Service, students have the opportunity to perform community service in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. While Penn State students have the national observance day off from classes, this event allows students to participate in a “day on” of service. Participating campuses include the eight western Penn State campuses: Altoona, Beaver, Behrend, Dubois, Fayette-The Eberly Campus, Greater Allegheny, New Kensington and Shenango. 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., 117 Reed and service sites
• Tuesday, Jan. 16: Privilege Walk. This experiential exercise highlights how people benefit or are marginalized by systems in our society. Hosted by the Association of Black Collegians. 1 to 2 p.m., McGarvey Commons
• Wednesday, Jan. 17: Film screening: “All the Way.” The film presents a riveting behind-the-scenes look at former President Lyndon Johnson's first year in office, when he battled southern party leaders who brought him to power to forge an unlikely alliance with Martin Luther King Jr. and fight for the passage of the landmark 1964 Civil Rights Bill. 5:30 p.m., Reed Auditorium. The film will be shown again at 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19, and Saturday, Jan. 20.
• Thursday, Jan. 18: Drum Circle. Join members of the campus community as they come together for an evening of rhythm, expression and community. Facilitated by the Office of Personal Counseling. 7 p.m., McGarvey Commons

Penn State Behrend’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. commemoration is sponsored by the Office of Educational Equity and Diversity Programs and the Student Activity Fee. For more information, call 814-898-7101 or email [email protected].