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Street Beat: Martin Luther King Day Events In Detroit

This week on Street Beat, host Rob Stone takes a look at the various celebrations and activities around the community dedicated to Martin Luther King Day.

First, LaNesha DeBardelaben, Director of Archives and Libraries for the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, explains the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as well as the annual events assembled by the Wright Museum. DeBardelaben explains that such events will include children's workshops, musical performances, free health screenings by the Henry Ford Health System, a live video stream of the presidential inauguration, and various activities throughout the museum.

Next, Abayomi Azikiwe, activist and organizer of Detroit MLK Day, recalls the Historic Great March for Freedom that took place in Detroit fifty years ago and how this organization plans to commemorate this event. The 2013 Detroit MLK Day Rally and March for "Jobs, Peace, and Justice" will be held to remember the historic march and to reiterate Dr. King's message.

Then, Zach Fairchild, a member of the Americorps Urban Safety (AMUS) Project, shares how this organization has focused on improving resident public safety in the Midtown/North End areas of Detroit. In honor of MLK Day, the AMUS Project plans to board up vacant houses located around the Detroit International Academy for Young Women to create a safer area for students and residents. Fairchild explains that this organization is meant to bring people together and that anyone can participate.

Finally, Keith Jason, Student Services Coordinator at Eastern Michigan University (EMU), and Reggie Barnes, Director of Diversity and Community Involvement at Eastern Michigan University, talk with Rob about the week-long celebration that occurs on EMU's campus to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. A popular event this year will be the President's Luncheon which will feature Tim Wise, an anti-racist activist, author, and educator, as keynote speaker. Jason and Barnes also share that the campus will be full of many other activities including a day of service, a basketball game, a talent show, various educational activities, a screening of Detropia, and various scholarship opportunities.

Street Beat: MLK Day Seg 1WATCH Street Beat: MLK Day Segment 1

Watch Street Beat Sundays at 11 a.m. on CW50 Detroit. 

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