Community and Campus: Boston University Celebrates King’s Legacy
Our annual celebration of the life and legacy of Alumnus Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. begins on Sunday, January 14, 2018, with an interdenominational service at Marsh Chapel (735 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston). On this Martin Luther King, Jr. Sunday, Reverend and Professor Dr. Walter Earl Fluker will preach. Dr. Fluker is the Martin Luther King, Jr. Professor of Ethical Leadership and the editor of the Howard Thurman Papers Project. The service is 11 am to noon and will also be broadcasted live at WBUR 90.9 FM, or on the internet at wbur.org.
On Monday, January 15, 2018, we are honored that the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra, Museum of African American History, and City of Boston will hold a celebration event in honor of Dr. King – on his birthday – on Boston University’s campus. The event begins at 10:30 am in the George Sherman Union’s Metcalf Ballroom (775 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston).
Boston University will continue the tradition of honoring alumnus the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with Words Beyond the Dream, its MLK commemoration.
This event will take place Monday, January 15, 2018 at 2 pm in the University’s George Sherman Union’s Metcalf Ballroom (775 Commonwealth Avenue). Members of our communities will reflect on the depth, power, and ever-increasing relevance of Boston University alumnus Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s words beyond those of his famous “I Have A Dream” speech. We will create a chorus of voices that elevate and illuminate Dr. King’s profound thinking and action related to the issues of community, justice, peace, and love.
This year’s performances and speakers are still being finalized, but will include poet Kamilah Aisha Moon, poet Danez Smith, Inner Strength Gospel Choir, School of Theology’s Seminary Singers, Boston University Academy Jazz Ensemble and multiple students.
Words Beyond the Dream will run for approximately 90 minutes and is free and open to the public. If you require disability accommodations in order to attend this event, please contact us at dos@bu.edu.
If you have any other questions, please contact Kat Cornetta, Assistant to the Dean of Students, at katcorn@bu.edu.
One comment
I’m a graduate of BU School of Fine Arts. I applaud BU for bring the community together to honor Dr. King, for his courageous leadership and commitment to equality for all people.
We applaud BU School of Fine Arts for its support.
We’d like to share a vision we’ve been dedicated to for 24 years to build a permanent landmark that will showcase a poem written in 1978 that expresses Dr. Martin King’s vision of equality. It begins with a question: Are you greater than the sun/ that shines on everyone: Black, Brown, Yellow, Red and White/ the sun does not discriminate (c) 1985. It was popularized in a city-wide multi-media public service campaign promoting racial and ethnic harmony throughout Boston, NYC and RI in the mid eighties.
Lastly, we’d like to share video of a song inspired by the Sun poem. It was performed at the UN in 2015 and inspired a campaign, “Singing Equality across America.” We’ve been sharing the song with school districts across the nation. One teacher was moved to teach 429 children the song and they’re even doing it in sign language. You can see it on our Facebook page an image of children’s faces covering the whole page: https://www.facebook.com/WorldUnityInc. Hope you’ll share! Imagine if everyone at BU and beyond saw this video!