Hickory – The Hickory National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), in a collaborative effort supported by grants from the North Carolina Martin Luther King Jr. Commission, the United Arts Council of Catawba County and several local individuals and agencies has scheduled the following lineup of events for the Hickory area during MLK Jr. weekend.
1. Saturday, January 18, Noon, a Bell Ringing Ceremony at Union Square, downtown Hickory will be hosted by Hickory NAACP. The ringing of the bell signifies personal conviction and community involvement and provides an opportunity for reflection on the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
2. A Graphic Arts High School and College Student Juried Art Exhibition “Honoring Martin Luther King, Jr’s Legacy: Championing Civil Discourse, Racial Equality and Contributions of African Americans.” Preview Exhibition at LRU’s P.E. Monroe Auditorium January 20 – 29 and Total Exhibition at LRU’s Cromer Student Life Center February 4 – 29.
3. Monday, January 20, 11:00 AM, NAACP Leads the March from Lenoir Rhyne University to Ridgeview Recreation Center (following the 10:00 AM program at LRU).
4. Monday, January 20, 12:00 pm, at the Ridgeview Recreation Center the NAACP will host the community forum recognizing Dr. King’s accomplishments, philosophies of nonviolence and civil discourse and their implications for the citizens of Hickory. The program will include the play, “Freedom Riders,” by Tom Quinn presented by the Theater Arts Academy of Hickory Career & Arts Magnet School (HCAM) students, as well as expressions honoring Dr. King by community youth.
The following additional events are planned in February. More information on these will be forthcoming.
1. A free, ticketed, showing of the film “Selma,” date and time to be announced.
2. An MLK Jr. Quiz Bowl challenging participants to exhibit their knowledge of Dr. King and his life’s work. This event will be held on Saturday, February 29th at Morning Star First Baptist Church.
Other agencies and individuals supporting this undertaking include the United Arts Council of Catawba County, Lise Swensson, retired art instructor, Young Men of Integrity, Multicultural Affairs, Lenoir Rhyne University, Theater Arts Academy of Hickory Career & Arts Magnet School (HCAM), The City of Hickory, Hickory Police Department, Joseph Hill Tutorial Program, Ridgeview Recreation Center, Morning Star First Baptist Church and Footcandle Film Society.
