Centenary sets events for 2020 Dream Week
SHREVEPORT, LA — Centenary College students, faculty, and staff will celebrate the legacy and achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as well as local civil rights leaders, during the College’s 2020 Dream Week. Beginning with a new event, the Unity March, on Sunday, January 19, the week continues with the 12th annual MLK Service Day on Monday, January 20, and a full schedule of educational and cultural events, including a film screening at the Robinson Film Center in downtown Shreveport and the 9th annual MLK Oratory Competition and Youth Leadership Awards Ceremony.
All Dream Week events are open to the public and most are free. Centenary students can earn Passport Points at several events. The full schedule is available below and at centenary.edu/dreamweek.
“Dream Week 2020 offers unique opportunities for the community to commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr..,” says Kaylan Walker, director of community engagement. “#THEPOWEROFWE has been chosen as the theme for this year’s event. The theme supports Dr. King’s dream of a ‘beloved community’ in which racism and all forms of discrimination, bigotry, and prejudice are replaced by an all-inclusive spirit of sisterhood and brotherhood.”
Itzel Sigaran, a sophomore at Centenary, is currently serving as a Diversity Policy Intern and has been involved in Dream Week 2020 planning.
“Dream Week for me really shows the power of unity and how well Centenary students can work together,” says Sigaran. “It is truly a beautiful thing to see so many students work together on the vision that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. had for all of us.”
Sunday, January 19, 3:00 p.m.
Unity March
Centenary Jones-Rice Field
The first Unity March seeks to create a space for Centenary’s diverse community to come together as a more just, humane, and peaceful society as promoted by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Monday, January 20, 8:15 a.m.
11th Annual MLK Service Day
Centenary Fitness Center (Kick-Off)/Various Service Sites
Centenary students, staff, faculty, alumni, and community partners will work together on the College’s 12th annual MLK Service Day. Caddo Parish District 3 Commissioner Steven Jackson will be on hand to welcome volunteers and thank them for their service at the kick off in the College’s Fitness Center.
Participants will help several local non-profit organizations with tasks such as landscaping, sorting donations, and cleaning. Service day sites and partner organizations include Common Ground Community, Garden Park Retirement Community, Shreveport Green, Renzi Education & Art Center, Stoner Hill Elementary, We Grow Together Gardens, The Renesting Project, NWLA Fuller Center for Housing, and Magnolia Manor Nursing Facility.
Registration for MLK Service Day is free and includes lunch and transportation. Check-in begins at 7:30 a.m. in Kilpatrick Auditorium and participants will be returned to campus at noon for lunch.
Online registration is available at centenary.edu/dreamweek.
According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, MLK Service Day is one of our nation’s biggest coordinated one-day service opportunities each year.
Tuesday, January 21, 11:15 a.m.
MLK Convocation
Anderson Auditorium
Speaker: Mrs. Maxine Sarpy, local civil rights leader
Wednesday, January 22, 6:30 p.m.
Forum on “White Privilege”
Whited Room
Facilitators: Dr. Chris Ciocchetti (Philosophy department chair, Centenary College) and Dr. Kenna Franklin (Director of Multicultural Affairs, LSUS)
Thursday, January 23, 11:15 a.m.
MLK Alumni Convocation
Whited Room
Speaker: Mr. Jonathan Ferrell ’05, Director of College Counseling – PACE Academy (Atlanta, GA)
Remarks: Ms. Mary Celeste Reagan ’69, first African-American graduate of Centenary College
Thursday, January 23, 7:30 p.m.
Movie screening and dialogue – Harriet
Robinson Film Center (617 Texas Street, downtown Shreveport)
Co-sponsored by the Centenary Film Society
Free admission for students, faculty, staff, and their families. Regular RFC prices for the general public.
Friday, January 24, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
“I Have a Dream…” Open Mic
Bynum Commons Cafeteria
Sponsored by the Multicultural Student Association
Saturday, January 25, 1:00 p.m.
9th Annual MLK Oratory Competition and Youth Leadership Awards Ceremony
Carlile Auditorium - Mickle 114
This annual event presented by the Mahogany Ensemble Theatre in partnership with Centenary and the Shreve Memorial Library System honors the legacy of Dr. King and Northwest Louisiana’s rich Civil Rights heritage. The contest showcases the art of oratorical presentation and encourages the emerging leadership of talented youth in our community.
The oratory competition is open to all students in grades 3rd-5th (elementary division), 6th-8th (junior division), and 9th-12th (senior division). The Youth Leadership Award is open to young adults ages 16-21. To enter, email mahoganytheatre@hotmail.com. Applications are due Monday, January 20th. For more information, visit mahoganyensembletheatre.org or call 318.382.2841.