Wichitans to honor Martin Luther King with music, marches, and by helping others

Wichita will honor the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with various celebrations including a parade, marches, music and more:

The 6th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration begins at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17, at Calvary Baptist Church, 2653 N. Hillside. The celebration is hosted by the Eta Beta Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., the fraternity King was part of when he was alive, and the Beta Kappa Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. The celebration will feature keynote speaker City Council member Brandon Johnson. The event is free to the public with a freewill offering during the program.

Citywide Martin Luther King Breakfast and Parade starts at 7 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 18 at the Christian Faith Centre, 1130 S. Broadway. Participants are encouraged to bring non-perishable food item to donate. Breakfast is served from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., and is free for children and students. Everyone else pays $3. The parade starts at 10 a.m. from the church. Participants will walk to the Chester I. Lewis Reflection Square Park, 205 E. Douglas.

“Our Heritage, Our Hope,” a celebration of Martin Luther King from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18 at the Chapel Hill UMC, 1550 N. Chapel Hill. The Kansas African American Museum presents the celebration with featured guests: Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple and Rev. Junius B. Dotson, General Secretary of Discipleship Ministry. The Collective and Heart of Christ UMC Praise Team and other musical guests will be featured as well as spoken word poetry. This event requires a $5 button for admission, which can be obtained at the Kansas African American Museum, 601 N. Water or by calling 316-262-7651.

Martin Luther King Day Celebration is from noon to 3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20, at WSU Hughes Metropolitan Complex, 5015 E. 29th St. North. This year the Greater Wichita Ministerial League has chosen the theme of “building bridges.” The event will feature speaker Cynthia Hale and local musical guests. The event is free and open to the public.

Martin Luther King Heroes and Sheroes Awards Breakfast starts at 7:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 20, at the Wichita State Rhatigan Student Center Ballroom. ARISE will honor Wichitans who emulate the dream of King and celebrate the life of King. Tickets are required and are $30 and can be obtained by calling 316-685-0452 or 316-681-0544.

Martin Luther King Day of Service, 8 a.m. to noon, Monday, Jan. 20, at Century II Expo Hall, 225 W. Douglas. Habitat for Humanity is partnering with Volunteer Kansas, the city of Wichita, Starbucks and Spirit AeroSystems to kick-off its 2020 Build Season with more than 150 volunteers working on two homes in the Expo Hall. Registration begins at 8 a.m. with the construction starting at 9 a.m. and cleanup and closing remarks at 11:30 a.m. Participants must be over the age of 10 and anyone under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult supervisor. Volunteers can register at volunteerkansas.org.

The 12th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration runs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22 at Wichita State in the Rhatigan Student Center Beggs Ballroom. The commemoration is to reflect on the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and offer ways to carry forward his ideas and work. The event will feature the ARISE Ensemble. The university’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion is hosting the events and the university will present the 2020 Drum Major Award to an administrator, faculty, staff or student who seeks greatness through service and love. The event is free and open to the public.

This story was originally published January 17, 2020 at 5:01 AM.