Living the dream: Columbus pays tribute to Martin Luther King Jr.

If you’re looking for inspiration for the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream of an America of equality, we can steer you to the following upcoming events that help mark the national holiday Monday in honor of the late civil rights leader:

42nd Annual Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Celebration Service: 4 p.m. Sunday, Calvary Community Church, 1031 Chestnut St. in Columbus. The speaker will be Indianapolis attorney, worship leader and life coach Briah Golder, focusing on the theme “Never Forget the Journey: Preparing Generation Next.” Scholarship winners, according to Calvary’s records, are the following local students: Brayten Macklin; Khalil Sims; Alivia Jordan; Tabytha Griffin; Emilia Henderson; Shelton Rasheed Hawkins; Dee Scruggs; Hunter Spaulding; and Shelton Rasheed Hawkins. Information: 812-372-3077.

The Rev. Martin Luther King Community Breakfast: 7 a.m. breakfast and 7:30 a.m. program Monday, The Commons, 300 Washington St. in downtown Columbus. Broadcaster and ordained Christian minister Frank Mickens of CBS 4 TV in Indianapolis will be the keynote speaker for the gathering that regularly attracts more than 300 people, including a broad range of residents, Mayor Jim Lienhoop, leaders from education, business, human rights and elsewhere. The theme is “One Blood, All Nations.” The event will also include mime Jerome Wood and the Columbus Indiana Children’s Choir. The breakfast is free, funded by varied community support and the local African American Pastors Alliance. The Volunteer Action Center is sponsoring a day of service from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at several local nonprofits. Information: [email protected]

“Equity and Economic Opportunity in South Central Indiana:” 11 a.m. Monday, Columbus Learning Center lecture hall, 4555 Central Ave. in Columbus. The free event organized by IUPUC will feature keynote speaker Carolyn Butler-Lee, Cummins Inc. executive director of corporate human resources. IUPUC will present its annual Excellence in Diversity Awards, according to organizers. Created in 2010 by the IUPUC Diversity Council, the awards recognize internal and external individuals, organizations, groups, units, projects, or institutions that meet the defined criteria. A free, light lunch will be served. Information: iupuc.edu

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Panel discussion/town hall meeting “Defeating Hate in a Welcoming Community:” 5:45 p.m. Monday, Columbus Learning Center, 4555 Central Ave., organized by the Columbus Bartholomew County Area Branch of the NAACP and the African American Pastors Alliance. Local NAACP leaders said the idea for the event was sparked by news of members of the hate group known as the Aryan Brotherhood arrested in Columbus in the fall (on matters unrelated to racial troubles). Information: 812-371-8624.