Events: Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Black History Month in Ann Arbor

In Ann Arbor, the celebration of the life of Martin Luther King Jr. provides families with several free and educational programs. From library events to musical performances to speeches and other free events; there will be several well-run programs for everyone in the family to enjoy.

MLK Celebration for the whole family will be held at YDL-Michigan (229 W Michigan Ave, Ypsilanti, MI 48197) and YDL-Whittaker (5577 Whittaker Rd, Ypsilanti, MI 48197). On Monday, January 21 at 1:30 p.m., honor the memory by sharing your dreams. watching Selma or participating in many special events to celebrate the day.

Through March 16, the Ypsilanti District Library is also hosting a national traveling exhibit, The Power of Children. It highlights the lives of three children who changed the course of history: Anne Frank, Ruby Bridges, and Ryan White. At the age of six, Ruby Bridges became the face of school de-segregation as the first African American child to attend a previously all-white school in New Orleans. Her confidence, optimism, and pride gave hope to a nation, giving energy to the Civil Rights movement as it dismantled Jim Crow laws. The exhibit is free and open to the public, and is on display in the Community Room at YDL-Whittaker whenever the library is open.

At YDL-Whittaker, families can learn more about African American Genealogy. On Saturday, January 19, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm, learn about the different resource or technique to help you discover your family history.

Families can get Free Admission to Henry Ford Museum (20900 Oakwood Blvd. Dearborn, MI 48124-4088 ) on January 21 to honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  Come to The Henry Ford Museum for live music, dramatic presentations, make and take activities or sit in the seat that Rosa Parks did. Thanks to the generosity of Target, admission to the Museum and parking are free. Activities include live musical performances, make and take activities and free giveaways!

The annual MLK Day for children and youth in Ann Arbor is being held at the University of Michigan at the Modern Languages Building (812 E. Washington, Ann Arbor). The full day event (8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.) allows participants a day of free activities filled with fun, creativity, dialogue and entertainment. While early registration is closed, youth can still be registered at walk-up.

The Ann Arbor District Library (343 S. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor) is hosting an MLK Day Concert
with the Biakuye Percussion Group at 1:00-2:00 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room. The free event is intended for grade K-12.

On Monday, February 5, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Ann Arbor District Library Downtown branch, families can stop in for I Am Making History. Where poets and performers from Ann Arbor’s Neutral Zone, will showcase their talents but also the importance of having a voice in the community. Then on February 9, 3:00-4:00 p.m. at the AADL-Westgate branch, listen to local residents talk about their experiences in the Living Oral History project by AADL. Residents from Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti discuss their experiences on topics like faith, education, race and how they related to the African-African community.

On Monday, February 11, 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm, at the YDL-WHittaker, Dr. Theresa Saunders of EMU’s College of Education explores the gaps in funding and support that have widened the achievement gap for students of color in Michigan, and what needs to change.

The youngest residents of our community will enjoy watching the Wild Swan Theater production of 
Under the African Sky running February 21-23 at the WCC Towsley Auditorium. I saw this production a few years ago with my sons class and really enjoyed it. In all, four shows will run. The production, a collection of fun tales taking place in Africa is full of colors, music, drumming and drama, and gives audiences a taste of delightful storytelling.