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January Community Events Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.

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Nine African-American young adults onstage at an indoor Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration in Greeley Co are holding a big banner reading "Unity Begins with You: MLK March and Celebration"
“MLK Greeley 2019” by greeleygov

Alex-Zan’s Dr. M.L. King Community Celebration: “Continuing His Dream & Works”
Monday, Jan. 20, 1-3pm, Carver Recreation Center
The 12th Annual celebration is coordinated by author, award winner and education trailblazer Mr. Alex-Zan (aka Charles Alexander). Highlights will include the presentation of the 10th Annual Alicia B. Lugo Award – Apostle Sarah Kelly; Guest Speaker – Brother Eddie Howard of Abundant Life Ministries. Vocalists Jamori Harris and Precious A. Bland, and Spoken Word/Psalmist Nikya Green will present. Alex-Zan’s Lifesavers will be there: Janet Martin, George Rivera, Tristan Kabesa, Martize Tolbert, and others. Mistress of Ceremonies will be Amaya Mitchell of NBC- 29.

Race, Gender, and the 2024 Electorate
Tuesday, Jan. 21, 11:00am-12:15pm, The Miller Center (also online)
In this post-election analysis, panelists will discuss the complex interplay of race, gender, and age demographics as they affected the election outcome. Participants will also consider obstacles to achieving a level playing field for everyone’s voting rights. Speakers: Andra Gillespie, Bertrall Ross, Kevin K. Gaines (moderator). For more info and registration click here.

MLK Jr. Day Community Celebration
Sunday, Jan. 26, 4pm, Mt. Zion First African Baptist Church
All are welcome to attend the 40th Anniversary of the MLK Jr. Day Community Celebration! Former Richmond Mayor (2016-2024) Levar Stoney will be the keynote speaker and highlight the theme “Legacy: Honoring the Past and Trailblazing the Future!” This celebration will reflect on past MLK Charlottesville Community Award recipients as well as highlight young community trailblazers. Enjoy the rousing singing of the community choir, as well as the addition of a new children’s choir. The gathering will begin at 4pm with a “prelude” of musical offerings from community members, followed by the main program at 5pm. Download and share this flyer if you’d like to help promote this event.

2025 Community MLK Celebration Keynote Address
Thursday, Jan. 30, 6pm, Paramount Theater
Michele Norris, award-winning journalist, New York Times bestselling author, and one of the most recognized voices in radio, will deliver the 2025 Community MLK Celebration keynote address, followed by an on-stage discussion with Melody Barnes, Executive Director of UVA’s Karsh Institute of Democracy. The event is presented by the UVA Division for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, in partnership with UVA’s School of Data Science and Karsh Institute of Democracy. Michele Norris will engage the audience in candid discussion about current events, social issues, and bridging the divide in America. This event is free and open to the public. More info and tickets are available via the Paramount Theater website.

Indivisible Charlottesville is Forming Working Groups

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Logo of Indivisible Charlottesville. Shows a light blue map of Virginia with a red star where Charlottesville is located and the words "Democracy in Action: Indivisible Charlottesville Va05"

Around Thanksgiving time, progressive groups all over the country held reorganization/revitalization “Worth Fighting For” meetings to start preparing for Trump’s return to power. In Charlottesville, the meeting organized by Indivisible Charlottesville drew 150 attendees (!), including a good number of local Dems. Here’s the list of organizations, including ours, that were flagged as important to support.

Five issue action workgroups are now organizing and starting to meet in late January/February:

  • Abortion Access/Reproductive Rights Protection
  • Building Alternatives (organizing locally to transform power–climate, housing, gun safety, etc.)
  • Climate Change/Protecting the Environment
  • Defending Civic Institutions (safeguarding democratic institutions–elections, gov. agencies, etc.)
  • LGBTQ+ Rights/Protection

You can get on the mailing list of one or more of these groups here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdEKRjgEJPm32nEm53Yx57BrnzxfnLq1MbeatOvtOQERJcTmw/viewform

Every little bit of organizing we do makes a difference… momentum builds on momentum… by getting out there and taking action to help your community, you’ll see how much power is actually in your hands!

“Worth Fighting For” Community Organizing Meeting (Saturday 11/23, 11am)

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Cover image for the planning document "Indivisible: A Practical Guide to Democracy on the Brink. Strategies, tactics, and tips for how every day Americans can fight back together wherever we live.” In the bottom right corner is a picture of the US Capitol building and in front of it 2 signs held up by raised arms reading “Abortion is Healthcare. Healthcare is a Human Right” and “We Demand Democracy”.Indivisible Charlottesville, in cooperation with other local groups, is coordinating a “Worth Fighting For” community organizing meeting in the Downtown Central Library’s Swanson Case Room at 11am on Saturday, Nov. 23 to strategize about the Trump 2.0 Administration. Attendees will:

  • Identify the roles we can all play to defend the people and civil institutions we care about.
  • Build connections with others who are ready to fight for a just and equitable future.
  • Begin forming action plans (building on this guide circulated by Indivisible and other partner organizations after the election).

Please RSVP by signing up here, and please share this invitation with others who are ready to join the cause.

Clean Air Cville (501c3 pending), which promotes healthier indoor air quality, will provide air filters and optional masks for the meeting.