Clark State Community College and the City of Springfield will host the 27th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Luncheon on Friday, January 13 at 11:30 a.m. in the Grand Hall of the Hollenbeck Bayley Creative Arts and Conference Center, 275 South Limestone Street.
Students from 12 local schools will be recognized as Peace Makers for their abilities to resolve conflict and emerge as leaders. “Peace Makers are students who exemplify characteristics of Martin Luther King, Jr. through their activities,” said Theresa Felder, vice president of student affairs and Greene Center operations for Clark State. “They are nominated by a counselor, other students or a school administrator.”
Clark State and the City of Springfield started the Peace Maker program in the 1980s. Each Peace Maker is nominated for the award, and a committee of representatives from Clark State, the City of Springfield and Wittenberg University determines the recipients. Clark State provides a plaque which can be displayed in their school; Wittenberg provides a motivational book; and CareSource will provide a gift card for each student.
The City of Springfield will recognize Everyday Edibles- a local catering company - as a historically disadvantaged business; and Springfield City Schools will recognize On-The-Rise - an eight acre working farm serving underprivileged youth - as an outstanding youth program.
Par and Dean will provide music for the event, and violinist Nokuthula Ngwenyama will perform; she is also performing Saturday, January 14, at the Clark State Performing Arts Center with the Springfield Symphony.
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Luncheon will officially denote the early start of Clark State’s February Black History Month celebration. In addition to the luncheon, the Central State Choir will perform at the Clark State Performing Arts Center on February 2. Tickets are free and can be obtained at the box office. Clark State and Mercy Health Partners will also host a dinner featuring panelists discussing “Health in the Black Community” on February 23 at the Hollenbeck Bayley Creative Arts and Conference Center.