COLUMBIA — The University of South Carolina will commemorate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. through a series of public events and service from Jan. 14 through Jan. 19.
The commemoration includes a panel discussion, community breakfast and gospel festival, each supporting the theme of promoting education to ensure equality and justice for all people in the United States.
The university began its annual celebrations more than 30 years ago and was one of the first major universities in the South to commemorate King’s legacy.
The commemoration will begin with a panel discussion at 6 p.m. Jan. 14 in the School of Law auditorium. The discussion will feature university law graduates South Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Jean Toal; Bob Coble, a former Columbia Mayor and lawyer with Nexsen Pruet; and Rep. Mia McLeod and law professor Eboni Nelson who teaches a course on race, class and education.
The annual event, which is free, is sponsored by the Black Law Students Association.
An annual MLK Gospel Festival at 6 p.m. Jan. 17 in the Koger Center will conclude the MLK celebrations. The festival will feature the Brookland Baptist Gospel Choir and Pastor Shawn Jones and the Believers, an all-male gospel quartet from Rockford, Ala., that has performed at gospel festivals nationally since 2010. The program also will feature remarks by the Rev. Chris Leevy Johnson, a university graduate and director of Leevy’s Funeral Home.
Tickets are $10 per person and will be available for sale at the Koger Center box office beginning Jan. 4.
Additional details about the annual MLK Breakfast will be announced soon.
In addition to offering public events, the university conveys its commitment to King’s legacy through service. Students, faculty and staff participate in two days of community service activities and a food drive for the Gamecock Pantry, which benefits students in need, and explore ways to promote and advocate equality.
Call 803-413-3323 for more information.
