Idaho State University Diversity Resource Center to host Martin Luther King Day events, march and program in January

POCATELLO — The Diversity Resource Center at Idaho State University has planned a series of events in January with the theme “Reigniting the Dream” that will culminate in a Martin Luther King Day march and program at 1 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 18.

According to Diversity Resource Center Program Coordinator Ram Eddings, the theme “Reigniting the Dream” speaks to the fact that “in reality we have lost sight of the dream and it needs to be reignited.”

Events scheduled for the week are as follows:

• On Tuesday, Jan. 12 and Wednesday, Jan. 13 at 7 p.m., evening discussion programs on “The Civil Rights Act: 50 Years Later” and “People of Color: Wealth in America,” respectively, will take place in Rendezvous Suites A and B, located on the first floor of the Rendezvous Complex.

• On Thursday, Jan. 14 at 7 p.m., another evening discussion will take place in the Diversity Resource Center. The topic for the evening will be “The Voting Rights Act of 2015.”

• The NAACP will host its Martin Luther King Luncheon at noon on Saturday, Jan. 16 in the Wood River Room of the Pond Student Union. Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for students with an ID and $17.50 for children or students under 19 years of age.

• On the evening of Jan. 16, the presentation “Famous People in America” will take place. The presentation is tentatively scheduled to take place in the Diversity Resource Center on the first floor of the Rendezvous Complex. The presentation will include students reading various material including quotes, poetry, speeches and more.

• On Sunday, Jan. 17, the Portneuf Valley Interfaith Fellowship with host its annual Martin Luther King service at the LDS church located at 1701 Bartz Drive in Pocatello, near the Stephens Performing Arts Center. The service will begin at 5 p.m. and is open to everyone.

• Finally, the Martin Luther King Day March and Program will take place, with the march beginning on the south side of Holt Arena Monday, Jan. 18, at 1 p.m., followed by the Martin Luther King Day program at 1:30 p.m. in the Stephens Performing Arts Center, featuring keynote speaker Stephone Jordan, ISU student and NAACP College president. The program will include a presentation of colors and Native American Grass Dance, in addition to other speakers, presentations and activities.

Other speakers for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day march and program include ASISU President Mackenzie Smith, President of Native Americans United Layha Spoonhunter, and Ambassador for International Students Nezar Alnejidi. Closing remarks will be provided by Dr. Henry Evans, associate director of Equal Employment Opportunity, Affirmative Action and Diversity at ISU.

For more information on Martin Luther King Day events, contact Eddings at (208) 282-3142 or eddirans@isu.edu.