The Fargo Human Relations Commission will host a celebration in honor of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, January 16, at 6:30 p.m. at the Fargo Theatre, 314 Broadway. The event is free and open to the public. The 12th annual event will feature performances by local musicians, the 50-voice Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Choir, artwork by local elementary students, video presentations by MSUM Film Studies students and Fargo Human Relations Award presentations by Mayor Dennis Walaker.
The Fargo Human Relations Award will be presented to the following individuals and organization that have made significant contributions to the area of human relations in the FM community:
- Howard Barlow is a resident of Fargo who has worked tirelessly on issues of homelessness and hunger and who advocates for equality for all citizens.
- Abby Roche and Kayla Smith are North High students and founders of the youth-led initiative “Spread the Word to End the Word,” which refers to the use of the word retarded to describe students who may have special needs or students who may have done something that displayed poor judgment.
- Handi Wheels, Inc. is being awarded for its efforts to provide affordable transportation services for disabled patrons and others in a discrimination-free manner.
Each award recipient’s accomplishments will be highlighted in a video presentation. Artwork completed by Lincoln and Kennedy Elementary students highlighting the program’s theme “Wheels on the Dream”, which includes a mural depicting the students’ dreams for the future, as well as a series of individual collages, will be on display in the Fargo Theatre lobby.
Those attending this event are invited to help support transportation needs in our community by donating to the FM Community Bicycle Workshop. A free-will offering will be taken during the course of the event.
For more information on the MLK event, contact the Fargo Department of Planning and Development at planning@cityoffargo.com or 701-241-1474.
