MLK's Legacy To Be Celebrated At Large West Hartford Event

Town of West Hartford

WEST HARTFORD, CT — The Town of West Hartford is hosting a special celebration of the life of civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the holiday that bears his name.

Guests are invited to join local leaders on Monday, Jan. 15, for the 28th annual celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the West Hartford Town Hall auditorium, 50 S. Main St., from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

"Each year the event that pays tribute to Dr. King's ideals and vision grows more popular and inspiring. The celebration is free and open to people of all ages," wrote the town in an announcement.

West Hartford’s 2024 event centers on King’s message, “Everybody can be great . . . because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”

This year’s keynote speaker is the Rev. Dr. Shelley Best, the leader behind the Greater Hartford Arts Council, who serves as the driving force behind an art-centric movement that fosters inclusivity and equity.

The 2024 MLK celebration also includes a welcome from West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor and an invocation by the Rev. Rowena Kemp of the Rector of Grace Episcopal Church in Hartford.

West Hartford Town Councilor Carol Blanks will serve as master of ceremonies and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., will share insights from the nation’s capital.

Lynn Thomas of the West Hartford African American Social & Cultural Organization will provide the introduction of the keynote speaker and will pay tribute to the late Earl Exum, who was a past participant in the annual event.

As a result, the ‘Earl Exum Servant Leader’ award program will be announced.

Each year two students from the public high schools are selected to give student perspectives on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

This year, Julianna Farquharson of Conard High School, and Amani Snellings of Hall High School were selected.

The event features musical performances by the Hall High School Jazz Combo, Sedgwick Middle School’s Sedgwick Sounds, and Conard High School’s Voices of the World.

Student artwork, essays, and poems from West Hartford elementary schools will also be on display.

A video capturing MLK art projects by West Hartford Public Schools students in progress will kick off the event.

Sponsors include the West Hartford African American Social & Cultural Organization (WHAASCO); the Town of West Hartford; West Hartford Public Schools; Hidden History; and Concerned Parents of Color of West Hartford.

West Hartford Community Interactive will air the event live on Comcast Channel 5, Frontier 6098, and on their YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@whci. For more information, contact Renée McCue, public relations specialist, Town of West Hartford at 860-561-7521 or email renee@westhartfordct.gov.