Remember — Celebrate — Act
A Day On; Not a Day Off

The University of South Carolina will commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a number of planned events beginning January 12, 2001. This year will mark the eighteenth consecutive year that the University has held a formal program to pay tribute to the late civil rights leader.

This year’s King Day activities will begin with a commemorative breakfast on Friday, January 12, 2001, at 7:30 a.m. in the Russell House Ballroom. This year’s featured speaker will be the Chief Justice of the South Carolina State Supreme Court, Justice Jean Toal. This event is open to all faculty, staff and students and the cost of the breakfast is $5.00 per person. Tickets for the breakfast will go on sale Wednesday, December 5, 2000, at the Russell House.

On Monday, January 15, 2001, at 3:00 p.m. the USC School of Law and the Black Law Students Association will hold their annual program at the USC Law School auditorium. This event is open to the public and will feature a nationally renowned legal scholar who will reflect on the law and the civil rights movement in this country.

On Monday evening at 6:30 p.m. the Koger Center will come alive with the sound of gospel music. The Annual MLK Gospel Fest will be held as we pay tribute to the life and legacy of Dr. King through gospel music. Gospel music is significant in that not only did Dr. King love gospel music but gospel music was a great rallying point for the civil rights marches during the turbulent civil rights era of which Dr. King was the major leader in this country. This event will be open to the public and has traditionally been well attended and attracts several thousand persons. This year’s featured performance will be by “The True Believers Gospel Group” out of McCombs, Mississippi. This nationally renowned group specializes in both traditional and contemporary gospel music. Local groups to perform will include “The Anointed Angels” an all female group and the Capital City Chorale under the direction of Marcus Works. There is no cost for this event, however, tickets must be picked up from the coliseum box office for admission. Tickets will be available on January 2, 2001, on a first come, first served basis for the public. On the night of the event, persons are asked to bring a canned good or a non-perishable food item for the Harvest Hope Food Bank.

The University will conclude its MLK Celebration on Saturday, January 27, 2001, with the annual day of service event which is being jointly sponsored by the Office of Community Services and the Department of Student Life.

Service Day Activities will begin with registration between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. to be followed by a march and rally at 9:00 a.m. All faculty, staff and students are urged to participate in the Service Day Activities by volunteering their time in service to some community service organization in the greater Columbia community.

Friday, January 12, 2001

Commemorative Breakfast

7:30 a.m. • Russell House Ballroom

Tickets: $5 at the Russell House Information Desk

Featured Speaker: The Honorable Darrell Jackson. • South Carolina State Senator, District 21, Richland and Calhoun Counties

Sponsored by the University of South Carolina in cooperation with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Committee and the Student Government Association

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Monday, January 15, 2001

Black Law School Students Association Celebration

3:00 p.m. • USC Law School Auditorium • Free Admission

Featured Speaker: Denise Hartsfield, Esquire • Assistant Professor, Wake Forest University

Sponsored by the Black Law School Students Association

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An Evening to Celebrate the Life and
Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

A Special Performance by the Hallelujah Singers

6:30 p.m. • Koger Center for the Performing Arts

Free Admission • Seating on a first-come, first-served basis

Sponsored by the University of South Carolina in cooperation with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Committee; the Student Government Association; the Black Faculty and Staff Association; and WIS-TV

For further information, contact the USC Office of Equal Opportunity Programs at 900 Assembly Street. Phone: 777-3854.

Related Links to Martin Luther King, Jr. Information

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center in Atlanta and The Martin Luther King, Jr. Papers Project at Stanford University have compiled primary and secondary documents covering the life and career of the civil rights leader. The site contains a biography, a chronology of King's life, articles, and a searchable bibliography of reference sources. The site also includes access to letters, speeches, and commentary written by King. A simple, free registration form is required to access the primary documents.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site

The National Park Service maintains information on the King historic site, including contact information, facilities, and additional attractions. The page contains links to Ebenezer Baptist Church and Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, Inc.