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Liberty Baptist Church examines Dr. King’s impact in Chicago

On Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017, from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Liberty Baptist Church of Chicago, located at 4849 South Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, in partnership with the Civic Knowledge Project, the community connections branch of the Division of the Humanities at the University of Chicago (U. of C.) will host a FREE and Open-to-the-Public discussion forum, “The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Initiative: Remembering the Legacy By Reading the Powerful Words Dr. King.” People of all ages are invited to come out and share in this exciting day of community and conversation.

Led by the great civil rights activist, educator and oral historian of Bronzeville, Dr. Timuel D. Black, is the acclaimed author of “Bridges of Memory: Chicago’s First Wave of Great Migration,” which chronicles Black Chicago history from the 1920s to the present, and Dr. Bart Schultz, Ph.D., Director of the Civic Knowledge Project, these two scholars and civic leaders will guide and lead a lively, engaging reading of some of Dr. King’s greatest and most powerful works, followed by an interactive, multi-generational discussion of the impact of Dr. Martin Luther King’s life, work and legacy as the 50th anniversary of his untimely assassination approaches in 2018. The Civic Knowledge Project (CKP) is a program of the University of Chicago’s Office of Civic Engagement, supports humanities-based educational programs connecting the University of Chicago to neighboring mid-South Side communities.

“Dr. King was an individual who changed the world in many important ways, and his influence will forever be recognized, analyzed and debated by those who revered him and those who detested his undeniable impact on both U.S. and world history,” said Dr. Black. “We feel that his words and works deserve continued discussion and examination, as we attempt to resolve societal issues both today and in the future.”

Prof. Black, a well-respected author, lecturer and recipient of numerous awards and honors, worked directly with Dr. King, helping organize the historic 1963 March on Washington, and was also deeply involved with Dr. King’s social justice activities here in 1966, as part of the Chicago Freedom Movement, which occurred between mid-1965 through 1967.

Dr. Black suggested Liberty Baptist Church, whose Pastor, Darrell L. Jackson and the Jackson Family shared a special relationship with Rev. Dr. King (first forged at Atlanta’s Morehouse College where Rev. Jackson, Sr. and Dr. King were classmates), as one of the few Chicago churches who willingly opened their doors to the nationally known, humble southern preacher. “Liberty is where Dr. King held his weekly strategy meetings with my dad, Pastor Abraham Patterson Jackson and other activists, and press conferences while planning protests, marches and rallies during his time in Chicago fighting for equal housing, educational and employment opportunities for Black residents, as the Chicago Freedom Movement focused on ‘making the city open and just for all,’” says Pastor Jackson.

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Initiative is a collaborative community history effort between Liberty Baptist Church of Chicago, the University of Chicago, Gloria Cosey of the Rosemoor Community Association, Rev. Janette Wilson of Rainbow PUSH, Prof. Timuel D. Black, the U of C. Lab Schools and the Civic Knowledge Project of the University of Chicago.

“The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Initiative” is designed to reflect upon and examine the profound life and legacy of the great, iconic civil-rights leader, and stimulating a fresh perspective among diverse multi-generational audiences. For more information, contact: Min. Damon Smith, Associate Minister of Social Justice, Special Projects & Youth Ministries at Liberty Baptist Church via email – [email protected] or Dr. Bart Schultz, Director – Civic Knowledge Project at the University of Chicago, [email protected] or 773.834.3929 ext. 1.

 

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