By: Maria-Paula

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stands tall (posthumously) as the man who taught us all to dream. His work, dream, and vision teach us to see each other as equals regardless of the race or skin colour.

As the nation gathers together on 15 January, 1PM-4PM, to celebrate the birthday of a man who taught the masses that everyone has something to offer to make life better for others, the Black History Museum and Cultural centre of Virginia (BHMVA), 112 W. Leigh Street will also honour the life and the legacy of Dr. King and his dream. This will be done by hosting a teen event, the 11th annual edition of MLK community day, acknowledging his impact and influence, not only on the global Civil Rights Movements, but also the direct effects and influence of his work on the transformational rights agenda in Virignia. His life, living lessons to make positive differences through daily actions and love.

The celebrations at the BHMVA will feature exhibitions on visiopns of progress and stolen lives, dreamed( special pop-up exhibition).

Visions of Progress, opening on February 6, will be a source of information and inspiration to visitors. The presentation consists of stunning photographs of pre-Harlem Renaissance era representations of African American life. The images show a multifaceted perspective of African Americans in Virginia during the early 20th century. Each region of the Commonwealth featured in the exhibition will be colour coded to differentiate the stories they tell, and guests will see stunning larger than life images presented in light boxes and large window spaces.

Stolen Lives, Dreamed Lives, also scheduled to open on February 6, will include works created by Sadrine Plante. The sculptures presented in the exhibition tell the chronological story of a people depicted as healers and nomads, the tribulations of slavery and life on the plantation, lynchings, exodus, and ultimately freedom.

On the other hand, VCU Health and VCU are set to host a walk in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Saturday, January 20. The Martin Luther King Jr. Community Walk and Celebration honors the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The walk is scheduled to begin outside of Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU’s Children’s Pavilion on East Broad Street at 4.00pm to 6.00pm.

Participants will walk to Hermes A. Kontos Medical Sciences Building auditorium for a musical of Dr. King with VCU choir alongside several other speakers. The keynote address for the day will be given by Rev. Marilyn J.D. Barnes, director of Spiritual Care at VCU Health and chair of the VCU College of Health Professions’ Department of Patient Counselling.

This event that is coordinated through collaborative effort of VCU Health Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and several groups across the health system and Virginia Commonwealth University is expected to be the climax of the years celebration of a feted hero.