The New 411
By Raymond Ward, Chicago Crusader
CELEBRATE! The DuSable Museum of African American History will celebrate the legacy of Civil Rights leader and Noble Peace Prize winner, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., during King Day 2017: Reaching Back, Moving Forward” on Monday, January 16, 2017. A fullday of exciting, educational activities for the entire family, will be on the schedule, from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. The event will take place at the DuSable Museum, 740 East 56th Plae (57th Street and South Cottage Grove Avenue) in Chicago.
“Reaching Back, Moving Forward,” is the theme of the day-long event designed to “elevate your consciousness” and will include: a presentation by noted Civil Rights attorney, Thomas “TNT” Todd; a poetic salute to Dr. King; storytelling; Youth and Family Make & Take Art Project Workshops; and family-friendly films dedicated to Dr. King’s legacy. Visitors will also have the opportunity to send a very special “thank you” to President Barack Obama for his eight great years of leadership by signing a special “Thank You Mr. President” banner, which will be sent to the President.
The day will also include the 2nd annual DuSable Museum Membership RadioThon hosted by Chicago’s first and only African American-owned radio station WVON-1690 AM, along with radio station 106.3 FM Chicago’s R&B station. This RadioThon invites the listening audience to become members of the DuSable Museum during the King Day celebration, thereby helping to keep the legacy of education and enlightment flourishing for generations to come. In addition, M.L.King Day at The DuSable will also kick-off a year-long celebration of the Museum’s founder, Dr. Margaret T. Burroughs.
“The DuSable Museum is proud to present our annual King Day celebration, which has become by far our busiest day of the year,” said Perri Irmer, President of the Museum. “The DuSable’s mission and the legacy of Dr. King are now more important than ever. We are so appreciative of our partners, WVON and 106.3 FM, for their continued support of this special event and of the DuSable, and we look forward to welcoming Chicagoans from all communities to join us on the 16th.”
While at the Museum celebrating Dr. King, guests are also encouraged to experience the new exhibitions: Unpacking Collections: The Legacy of Cuesta Benberry, An African American Quilt Scholar, A Place for All People: Introducing the National Museum of African American History & Culture and also the impactful Freedom, Resistance and The Journey Towards Equality, plus The DuSable Masterworks Collection Series I: Paintings.
