Save the Date for Countywide MLK Celebration!

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY TO CELEBRATE LEGACY OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. FRIDAY, JANUARY 18

Public Invited to Free Event at the Vineyard Church in Urbana

The public is invited to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Friday, January 18, 2019 at the Vineyard Church in Urbana. This free event includes hors d'oeuvres at 4 p.m. and a program starting at 5 p.m. The evening will feature an awards ceremony, a keynote address and musical entertainment.

The Countywide Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee will present three awards to individuals and organizations within local communities that uphold the ideals of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. These awards recognize individuals and organizations that are making a positive impact in Champaign County through humanitarian efforts, community service and social justice initiatives.

Rev. Dr. Michael Pfleger, Senior Pastor of the Faith Community of Saint Sabina in Chicago, will deliver the keynote address. As a minister, Father Pfleger has sought to break down the walls of racism and denominationalism by building unity among all people. He is known for social activism within Chicago communities.

Musical entertainment will be provided by Dr. Barrington L. Coleman, Associate Professor of Voice at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Dr. Coleman has performed and recorded as a tenor soloist with such esteemed organizations as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Music of the Baroque Ensemble, Royal Opera House of Covent Garden, La Venice (Venice, Italy), Glyndebourne Opera, London Philharmonic and Symphony Orchestras and the Sunday Evening Club of WTTW-TV in Chicago. His son Crofton Coleman, an accomplished musician within his own right, will provide the musical entertainment during the reception.

This event is hosted and sponsored by the City of Champaign, the City of Urbana, Champaign County, Parkland College, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the Village of Rantoul. For more information, visit our website, or go to our Facebook page, email us at hro@urbanaillinois.us or call (217) 384-2466.