Pitt to Host “Becoming a Just Community” in Celebration of the Legacy and Service of Martin Luther King Jr. Jan. 14-21

PITTSBURGH— To celebrate the legacy and service of Martin Luther King Jr., the University of Pittsburgh’s Office of Cross-Cultural and Leadership Development in the Division of Student Affairs will host “Becoming a Just Community,” a series of events in King’s honor from Jan. 14 through 21. 

The week begins with an Interfaith Service featuring musical groups and personal reflections on King’s legacy at 6 p.m. Jan. 14 in Heinz Memorial Chapel, Fifth and Bellefield avenues, Oakland. 

Jan. 17 events include “A Day On, Not a Day Off!”—sponsored by Pitt’s Black Action Society, Jumpstart, and First Year Experience—at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to honor King’s spirit of service. At 7:06 p.m. there will be a candlelight vigil in the Cathedral of Learning, 4200 Fifth Ave., Oakland, followed by a discussion in Room 205, Lawrence Hall, 3942 Forbes Ave., Oakland, hosted by Pitt’s Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. 

Highlighting the week will be a social justice symposium for Pitt faculty, staff, and graduate students titled “Building a More Just Community: From Awareness to Action” from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 20 at the University Club, 123 University Place, Oakland; and a Race and Diversity Lecture, open to the University and greater Pittsburgh community, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the William Pitt Union (WPU) Assembly Room, 3959 Fifth Ave., Oakland. Both the symposium and lecture will feature best-selling author and educator Tim Wise who will offer his perspective on dismantling racism. Nationally renown, Wise has delivered his message to more than 600 colleges and community groups throughout as the United States. 

The celebration culminates with the second annual Unity Brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 21 in the WPU Assembly Room with special guest André Kimo Stone Guess, president and CEO of the August Wilson Center for African American Culture in Pittsburgh.

A complete schedule follows. 

Friday, Jan. 14

6-7:30 p.m. Interfaith Service, Celebration of the Life and Legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Heinz Memorial Chapel. 

Monday, Jan. 17

10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Day of Service: “A Day On, Not a Day Off!,” sponsored by Pitt’s Black Action Society, Jumpstart, and First Year Experience. For more information or to register for one of the two shifts, visit  www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22BLDC6SERV/. 

7:06 p.m. Candlelight Vigil and Discussion, sponsored by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Cathedral of Learning and Lawrence Hall.

Tuesday, Jan. 18

3-4:30 p.m. Pursuing the Promise: Youth Reflect on Dr. King, Pitt hosts youth from the Pursuing the Promise Program Sixth Floor, WPU. 

8:45-10 p.m. CommonGround Workshop: Resisting Oppression Together Presented by the Campus Women’s Organization, Room 540, WPU. 

Thursday, Jan. 20

9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Social Justice Symposium, “Building a More Just Community: From Awareness to Action.” Special Guest Tim Wise, University Club. 

7-8:30 p.m. Race and Diversity Lecture. Special Guest Tim Wise, WPU Assembly Room. 

Friday, Jan. 21 Equipoise Unity Brunch

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.  Special Guest André Kimo Stone GuessWPU Assembly Room. 

The events are sponsored by Pitt’s Black Action Society, the Cross Cultural and Leadership Development (CCLD) Office, Dean of Students Kathy Humphrey and the Division of Student Affairs, and the University of Pittsburgh Chaplaincies. For more information, call the CCLD at 412-648-9523 or visit www.mlkcelebration.pitt.edu. 

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