Keeping Dr. King’s Legacy Alive
By Britt Clampitt, Charlotte Communications & Marketing
Nearly fifty years after the death of the minister and activist, for some, the most tangible reminder of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. may be the holiday in January bearing his name. However, for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Community Relations Committee (CRC) members and staff, as well as its partners throughout the city and community, Monday is a day “on” rather than a day “off.”
The CRC’s year-round efforts to promote equity and accessibility and eliminate discrimination are most visible when the CRC leads the annual MLK National Holiday Celebration and recognizes Charlotteans who are dedicated to continuing Dr. King’s legacy of harmony.
“The MLK weekend is an opportunity to recognize the grassroots leaders who are addressing issues of equality and economic opportunities for everyone in our community,” said Delores Reid-Smith, chair of the celebration’s organizing committee. “It’s also a time when we celebrate the growing diversity of our city and county.”
The 2018 Carolinas HealthCare System MLK National Holiday Celebration kicks off Saturday, Jan. 13, and includes free, family-friendly events designed to promote inclusiveness in the community and engage current and future community leaders with Dr. King’s legacy. People from different cultures, communities and organizations will come together to volunteer, acknowledge good work in the community and remember Dr. King.
“So much time has passed, we have to keep that legacy alive.” — Terry Bradley, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Community Relations.
“So much time has passed, we have to keep that legacy alive,” said Terry Bradley, community programs coordinator for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Community Relations. “Typically this event is the one that contributes to that effort the most. [It’s about] who he was as a minister, who he was as a leader and what he stood for, because he wasn’t just a civil rights leader just for the African-American community.”
But it’s no small task to hold the Southeast’s largest celebration Dr. King’s life and legacy. Organizers and volunteers work tirelessly to make the MLK celebration happen. Each of the CRC’s 15 staff members and many of the 45 committee volunteers contribute to the planning and execution of various events and service opportunities throughout the Charlotte area. Some city departments even pull double-duty. While Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, Charlotte Fire Department, Charlotte Water and Solid Waste Services employees march in the annual parade uptown on Saturday, their colleagues will provide vital behind-the-scenes support, ensuring the safety of participants and spectators and cleaning up after the celebration.
Those looking to get involved in the MLK celebration have a number of options, including assisting with parade operations and logistics, as well as completing sit-down assembly and creation projects that benefit nonprofits and other service providers. A full list of events and volunteer opportunities can be found online.
“I know it’s a day off for most folks, but if they can get engaged in any way with the events that we offer, I think it’s beneficial for them as well,” said Bradley.
For more information on the 2018 Carolinas HealthCare System MLK National Holiday Celebration, visit mlk.charlottenc.gov.
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