Northern Michigan University is planning a week of service activities around the theme, “Empowering Community through Action,” beginning with Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 20. The overarching goal will be to assemble and donate winter care kits to the Room at the Inn to support those in need during the cold-weather months, but additional daily programming is scheduled as well.
The full schedule of service activities follows:
Monday, Jan. 20: Radical Togetherness–Crafting Kindness
Participate in breakout volunteer sessions to make blankets, inspirational cards and friendship bracelets, with lunch and inspiring speakers to fuel the creativity, from 1-4 p.m. in the Hedgcock Atrium.
Tuesday, Jan. 21: Advocacy in Action–Writing for Change
Materials and guidance will be provided for writing letters to state legislators advocating for equitable policies and systemic change from 1-3 p.m. in the Hedgcock Atrium.
Wednesday, Jan. 22: Nourishing Our Neighbors–Feeding America
Volunteer with Feeding America to help unload and distribute food to the Marquette community between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the Berry Events Center. The sign-up link is www.yoopersunited.com/need/detail/?need_id=1009357 .
Thursday, Jan. 23: Pathways to Belonging–Diversity Resource Fair
Students are invited to discover opportunities for getting involved and making a lasting impact on campus and beyond by connecting with organizations that champion diversity, equity and inclusion from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Hedgcock Atrium.
Friday, Jan. 24: Compassion in Action–Kit Assembly and Delivery
Celebrate the collective efforts of the NMU community in serving others and carrying King’s legacy forward by assembling winter care kits and delivering them to the Room at the Inn from 1-4 p.m. in the Hedgcock Atrium.
The six items requested for each winter care kit include one compact, foldable rain poncho; one package of hand and foot warmers; wrapped snacks that are easy to chew; one compact blanket; one pair of adult-size socks, with an additional warm hat or pair of gloves appreciated; and hygiene items such as bandages, deodorant, shaving razors, lotion, wet wipes, cotton swabs and antibiotic ointment. Donation bins are located at the Marquette Food Co-op, NMU Office of Diversity and Inclusion/Student Equity and Engagement Center, and the NMU Center for Student Enrichment.
NMU’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion has also launched an MLK crewneck and T-shirt fundraiser in support of upcoming Juneteenth events.
In partnership with the Michigan Transformation Collective and the National Day of Racial Healing, join a drop-in tour at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts on Sunday, January 19 from 1:30-2:30pm to explore and discuss art and artists who have used art for healing, to highlight resilience, promote community building, call attention to marginalization, showcase their voices, and more. Guests who join this interactive tour will be invited to share their experiences and perspectives as we work toward a brighter, more equitable future in Kalamazoo.
Upon your arrival at the KIA, please let the Information Desk staff know that you are attending the drop-in tour and your admission fee will be waived on this day.
Please note that this event will not be livestreamed or posted on YouTube.
This is the next installment of our Becoming Beloved Community series where we will have a conversation about the ways we can address the harm that racism has done in Amherst and how we can heal from it as a community. We will be located in the Amherst Regional Middle School cafeteria, food and beverages will be provided.
This 5-mile hike is about honoring both extraordinary and everyday individuals who have marched together to change the world and strive for equity. Reflecting on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King and other freedom fighters, we’ll reflect on our common values, share stories of those who inspire us to work toward a more just and equitable world and explore ways to heal collectively from the impacts of racism.
Tour the BMAY2Y Beloved Community Art Installation and experience original art work that reflects diverse views of the journey to manifesting a Beloved Community thru the eyes of participants in our Beloved Community Academy. Participants will then be able to create their own unique recipes, with ingredients, to create a more diverse “Beloved Community” through their individual contribution. The evening will culminate with guests participating in a “Diversity Discuss, Dessert and Coffee” healing circle. All journey begin and continue towards the Beloved Community and the Train to Racial Healing! All Aboard!!!
Join us as community members tour our Beloved Community Art Installation, with art pieces that have been developed by individuals who participated in our Beloved Community Academy. Guests to the installation can then participate in creating their own customized recipes to create a Beloved Community. Participants will then be able to participate in a “Recipe Exchange” and discuss the ingredients they selected during a “Diversity Discuss, Dessert and Coffee” circle of healing. All expediences begin and continue on the Train to Racial Healing … destination “Beloved Community!” …
All Aboard!
The City of St. Louis Park, St. Louis Park Public Schools, St. Louis Park Community Education and Benilde-St. Margaret’s are partnering to host the third annual National Day of Racial Healing event. This event is an opportunity for children, teens, neighbors and community members to learn about each other’s diverse backgrounds, cultures, perspectives and lived experiences. All are invited to participate in the community conversation. The event is free to attend and will include soup and light refreshments.
Keynote panelists:
Dr. Andrea Singh, chairperson of pediatrics, Health Partners/Park Nicollet
Dr. Patrick Duffy, director of teaching, learning, and leadership, St. Louis Park School District
Dr. Prince Corbett, director of racial equity, inclusion, and belonging, city of Minneapolis
Closing speaker:
Nadia Mohamed, St. Louis Park mayor
Music:
The Park Singers, St. Louis Park High School
I would love to see everyone I know working toward racial justice and racial healing. I am bringing small groups of people together around my dining room table to share their experiences with racism, to deepen awareness about individual racial biases, to listen to all experiences with respect and to remember that we are all impacted by racism. As white people we all have to be part of the conversation and practice speaking openly about ourselves and speaking out when we see injustice.
Without empowerment, Racial Healing is not possible. At Raices del Saber Xinachtli Community School, children are empowered by constructing knowledge and participating in their identity formation. Over the week before Racial Healing Day, students and teachers will showcase examples of how this works, culminating on the 21st activities with parents, family, staff and community partners participating in a celebration morning and embracing diversity in a dialogue about decolonizing education.
This free program features inspirational speakers, musicians and performers. Local non-profit organizations will be on hand to provide information about their services. Per tradition, the program closes with local youth reading the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream” speech. We also plan to share information about the National Day of Racial Healing and it’s Conversation Guide.