Communities United

On Eve of Obama Inauguration, Dane County-Madison King Holiday Observance Will Reflect On The “Inspiration of Dreams; Responsibilities of Change”

Coalition will also host free Community Inauguration Gathering at Monona Terrace

The King Coalition welcomes the Rev. Dr. Trinette V. McCray to Madison to celebrate the historic election of Barack Obama as president of the United States and the enduring legacy of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the 24^th Annual Dane County & City of Madison Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Observance.  Her keynote address will address the “Inspiration of Dreams; Responsibilities of Change.”

The 2009 City-County Observance will take place on Monday, January 19, 6:00 p.m. at the Overture Center’s Capitol Theater located at 201 State Street in Madison. There is no cost to attend.

Ordained in 1981 by the late civil rights leader, Rev. Dr. Ralph D. Abernathy, the Milwaukee-based McCray has over 25 years experience in local and national ministry and holds the distinction of being the first clergywoman to be elected president of the American Baptist Churches, USA.  An advocate for those targeted by systemic poverty and domestic violence, Rev. McCray currently serves as president of the Housing Ministries of American Baptists in Wisconsin, as a board member of Sojourner Truth House, and as a county appointed official on the Milwaukee County Ethics Board.  As an instructor in Urban Ministry at Cardinal Stritch University, McCray is the executive director of the Center for Calling and Engagement which includes programming that furthers partnerships in Milwaukee’s social justice and urban transformation efforts through churches and faith based organizations.

In addition to Rev. Dr. McCray’s keynote address, the event will feature the presentation of the annual City and County Dr. King Awards presented by Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz and Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk.

Entertainment will be provided by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Choir which will be led by noted local music directors Leotha Stanley and Letrice Stanley. Participation in the choir is open to all interested individuals. No registration is required. Interested individuals should simply attend the two required rehearsals on Tuesday, January 13, 7:00pm and Saturday, January 17, 11:00am at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 2019 Fisher Street, Madison.

Earlier in the day, Rev. McCray will address an expected audience of nearly 500 middle and high school students at the 11^th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Service Day. Madison will join hundreds of communities across the country in celebrating the national holiday by making it “a day ON, not a day off.” This youth-planned event will include educational breakout sessions, presentation of the President’s Volunteer Service Awards by Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz, and a Youth March up to the State Capitol. Later in the day, these students will spread throughout Dane County where they will begin their commitment to a year of volunteer service. Registration is free and includes lunch. Schools, youth groups, or individuals can register by calling Seth Yosef at (608) 251-8550. The event will begin at 8:00 a.m. at the Monona Terrace Convention Center.

The King Coalition will also sponsor the 22^nd Annual Free Community Dinner from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 16th at Gordon Commons, Room B5, University of Wisconsin Campus, 717 W. Johnson Street. All interested community members are invited to share a wonderful meal with friends, old and new, in Dr. King’s spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood. Free shuttle bus service to and from the dinner will be provided by Kobussen Buses Ltd. Pickups will occur at the YWCA, 101 E Mifflin Street (4:50pm) and Grace Episcopal Church, 116 W. Washington Ave (5:00pm) with a return trip at 6:30pm.

Major financial sponsorship of these events is provided by Dean & St. Mary’s with additional support from MG&E, the City of Madison, Dane County, UW Chancellor’s Office, Housing Ministries of American Baptists in Wisconsin, and numerous other businesses and individuals.

On Tuesday, January 20^th the King Coalition will also host a free Community Inaugural Celebration “President Barack Obama” in the Monona Terrace Lecture Hall starting at 9:00 a.m. All members of the community are invited to bring their lunch and view the inauguration on a 20-foot HD TV screen. Dessert and coffee will be provided.  For more information contact Mona Adams Winston at 608-239-7707 or Edward Lee at 608-213-7907. In addition to the King Coalition, other sponsors of this event include the Urban League of Greater Madison, Monona Terrace Community & Convention Center, Kujichagulia-Madison Center for Self Determination, Inc., City of Madison, Dane County, NAACP, UMOJA, Capital City Hues, and The Madison Times.

In addition to King Coalition sponsored events, other activities commemorating the King Holiday include:

Saturday, January 17, I Have a Dream Scholarship Ball: Sponsored by Women In Focus, the Ball raises money to provide college scholarships to deserving students. The festive evening will be held at the Monona Terrace, beginning at 6 p.m.  Call Sally Hestad, 273-1600, for tickets.

Sunday, January 18, The 25^th Annual Urban League Guild Recognition Breakfast: More than 150 students will be recognized for their outstanding academic accomplishments and community services. High school seniors will be awarded the Martin Luther King, Jr. college scholarships. The Madison Metropolitan School District will announce the 2009 Mann Scholars. The breakfast begins at 7:45 a.m. at Edgewood High School, 2219 Monroe Street. Sponsored by the Urban League of Greater Madison, Inc. Tickets are available for only $5 online at www.ulgm.org or by calling (608) 251-8550.

Sunday, January 18, 4:00 p.m., Martin Luther King, Jr. Ecumenical Church Service: Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 2019 Fisher Street, Madison.

This entry was posted on Sunday, January 11th, 2009 at 6:32 pm and is filed under Announcements. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.