Clark State College in partnership with CareSource, the City of Springfield, Human Relations Board, Springfield City Schools and Wittenberg University will host the 31st annual Martin Luther King, Jr. birthday celebration with a virtual event: Living The Dream, on Friday, January 15 beginning at 11:30 a.m.
“Clark State has supported the MLK celebration over the years to not only honor Dr. King and the incredible sacrifice he made for civil rights, but to help recognize students who are ensuring his legacy continues,” said Ronald Gordon, dean of enrollment services for Clark State. “Students who receive the Peacekeeper Award are sharing Dr. King's message of equality for all through their daily actions and it is noticed by others.”
Eric Ellis, president and CEO of Integrity Development Corp., will be the keynote speaker for the event. He will speak on: "Who am I leading? And to what destination?”
“It is critical for the community to set aside time throughout the year, but especially as we reflect on the life and contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King, to assess where we are with respect to issues of racial and social justice,” said Ellis. “It should be crystal clear, at this point, that without greater individual and collective leadership, we are on a path to ideological civil war. I am honored to have the opportunity to share my thoughts on the role personal leadership plays on our current and future success as a community and society.”
Ellis’s firm helps to build organizational cultures where Diversity, Inclusion and Respect flourish, which drives sustainable, improved business results. He is recognized as one of the nation’s leading consultants and strategists on matters related to Diversity & Inclusion. He is viewed as a thought leader who effectively collaborates with internal diversity practitioners and HR Leaders to develop and implement innovative D&I solutions.
Ellis is author of the book “Diversity Conversations” (third edition); recognized as the Minority Business of the Year in Ohio and the recipient of the NAACP President’s award, in addition to many other leadership and business awards.
The annual Peacemaker Awards will be presented to 12 local high school students recognized for their ability to resolve conflict in a positive way and assist in bridging cultural and social differences within their schools. Clark State and the City of Springfield started the Peacemaker program in the 1980s.
Par and Dean will be providing music for the event.
“We continue to celebrate King Day to remember Martin Luther King for what he did to force the United States to face the evils of racism in his time, said Warren Copeland, Springfield City Mayor. “However, we also celebrate this day in order to recognize racism in our place and time and commit ourselves to act in our time.”
Registration for the free Living the Dream celebration is now open at:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5605570174875222029
The Martin Luther King, Jr. virtual celebration will officially denote the soft-start of Clark State’s February Black History Month celebration.