Indiana Wesleyan University will host its sixth annual MLK Celebration honoring Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Friday, Jan. 18. The special community-wide event will honor King’s legacy with scripture and song throughout the day.
To start the celebration, a chapel service at 10 a.m. will feature Jonathan Banks, an author, minister and educator. Banks is the author of the 2017 book titled “Raise Your GPA: God’s Way to Win @ School & Life,” which uses biblical principles to demonstrate that God has designed each person for success. He was raised in the Jewish faith and came to know Christ as a college student, which gives him a unique perspective from which to share God’s wisdom and purpose with others.
Later, community members will come together at 7 p.m. for the MLK Celebration event featuring Rich Benjamin, an author, cultural critic and essayist. Benjamin has performed extensive study on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and has examined both the progress and backward steps America has made toward King’s vision of “a more beloved community.” Benjamin is best known for his non-fiction book titled “Searching for Whitopia: An Improbable Journey to the Heart of White America,” which was selected as an Editor’s Choice by “Booklist” and The American Library Association (2009). Born in New York City, Benjamin grew up in places around the U.S. and abroad. He earned his bachelor degree at Wesleyan University and went on to earn his Ph.D. at Stanford University.
The MLK Celebration event is free of charge and will take place in the Phillippe Performing Arts Center on IWU’s Marion campus. No tickets are required. There will be a reception in the Barnes Student Center Piazza immediately following the event. As part of the reception, Benjamin will be signing copies of his “Searching for Whitopia” book from 9-9:30 p.m.
“Spreading a message of hope and reconciliation is a daily goal for our community,” said Diane McDaniel, vice president for diversity and inclusion and chief diversity officer at IWU. “This special event allows us to foster that message as we come together as one and celebrate a diverse Christian community.
For more information, visit www.indwes.edu/events/mlk/.