Staff Reports
A full day of activity is planned on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Columbus, all of which are free.
Community breakfast
» African American Pastors Alliance 21st annual CommUNITY Breakfast, 7:15 a.m.: The program, “MLK50 Forward: Together We Win with Love for Humanity,” will be at the Columbus North High School cafeteria, 1400 25th St., Columbus. Master of Ceremony will be Fred King, with invocation by Bishop Charles Sims and a color guard presentation by the Young Marines. Pastor Mike Harris will explain the objective of the event, followed by a welcome from Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop and a musical selection by the Columbus Christian Choir. Remarks will be offered by Jim Roberts, superintendent, Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp.; Stella Collins, president, Bartholomew County Area Chapter of the NAACP; and Jeff Jones, executive lead for the Alliance for Substance Abuse Progress in Bartholomew County. Keynote speaker will be Brittany King, organizer of the Black Lives Matter chapter of Columbus. Presentation of the fourth Beloved Community Award will be made by Pastor Frank Griffin, with presentation of three scholarship winners by Pastor David C. Bosley. The closing song will be led by Abigail Jackson. A capacity crowd of 350 is expected. Information: 812-350-1345.
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Movie screening
» “Hidden Figures” movie screening and discussion, 10 a.m.: The inspirational, based-on-a-true story of three brilliant African-American female mathematicians at NASA — Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe) — serve as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history: the launch of astronaut John Glenn (Glen Powell) into orbit amid the world’s great space race. The film, to be shown at Calvary Community Church, 1031 Chestnut St. in Columbus, takes some liberties with actual NASA history, according to online interviews with the real women. For instance, segregated restrooms and buildings were no longer the norm at NASA during most of the period highlighted. Facilitator, John Sims. Information: 812-390-6642.
Panel discussion
» Panel discussion “Columbus Then and Now: How Far Have We Come, How Far Do We Have To Go?” 11 a.m.: The diversity-themed event at the Columbus Learning Center, 4555 Central Ave., will include panel moderator Aida Ramirez, director of the Columbus Human Rights Commission; Hanna Omar, spokesperson for the Islamic Society of Columbus Indiana; IUPUC and DACA student Joseline Medina; Sondra Bolte, a leader for the local Showing Up For Racial Justice; longtime Columbus resident Ric King; and the Rev. Clem Davis, pastor of St. Bartholomew Catholic Church, a frequent speaker supporting racial and religious diversity and issues. Sandra Miles is dean of students and director of student affairs at IUPUC and an organizer of the discussion. “It’s no question that Columbus has evolved and become more inclusive and diverse over the past 50 years,” Miles said. “But recent events with various outcomes suggest that we still have a ways to go to ensure that all residents feel safe and welcome in our wonderful community.” Information: 812-375-7525.
Theatre performance
» Columbus Area Arts Council presentation by Bright Star Touring Theatre, “Struggle for Freedom: The Life of Dr. King,” 2 p.m.: The 45-minute musical drama at The Commons, 300 Washington St., will be followed by a brief question-and-answer session. Expected to draw 300 or more people, from youngsters to grandparents.
Panel discussion
» Black Lives Matter panel discussion, Rev. Martin Luther King’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” 6:30 p.m.: The event at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbus, 7850 W. Goeller Road, Columbus, will feature panelists Pastor Fred King, a member of the local African American Pastors Alliance; Leah Humphrey, organizer/activist of Indy10 Black Lives Matter; Kyra Harvey, organizer/activist of Indy10 Black Lives Matter; Satchuel Cole, activist/vice president of DON’T SLEEP in Indianapolis; Stanley Njuguna, activist/member of Students Against State Violence at Indiana University; and the Rev. Nic Cable, minster of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbus. Information: [email protected]
