Westborough and area residents will join together for a ‘Day of Inspiration, Service and Connection’
Westborough – Central MA Connections in Faith (CMACIF), in partnership with Westborough Interfaith Association, Westborough Connects and Westborough Public Schools, is pleased to announce the first annual Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration to be held in Westborough Jan. 21. The event, which is free and open to all ages, will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Westborough High School, 90 West Main St.
As a National Day of Service, community members are invited to come together in service to Dr. King’s legacy of bringing people together to break down barriers for all. For the youngest Celebration attendees, a Community Reading activity will offer books read by high school students and members of Westborough Connects.
The Celebration is grant-funded by the Lilly Endowment and by Islamic Relief.
Schedule:
9:30- 11 a.m. – Keynote presentation by Ken E. Nwadike Jr., peace activist and filmmaker, popularly known as the “Free Hugs Guy.” Nwadike was inspired to action after the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing and has traveled the country with his Free Hugs Project and messages of love and peace. As a motivational youth speaker, Nwadike shares his experiences of homelessness and insecurities and talks to students about the importance of supporting each other and the power of human interaction. His presence at protests, riots and political rallies has earned him praise for his peacekeeping efforts.
Westborough resident and musician, Luanne Crosby, will lead attendees in music and song, commemorating the legacy of Dr. King.
A student essay contest was held in advance of the Celebration. Middle and high school students from Westborough and communities served by CMACIF were invited to submit entries centered around an excerpt from a 1965 Dr. King speech given in Selma, AL: “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” Three winners will be chosen in early January and invited to read excerpts from their essays at the Celebration.
11 -11:45 a.m. – Community arts and service projects for attendees of all ages.
11:45 a.m. -12:30 p.m. – Facilitated conversation circles; Children’s reading activities.
For more information visit www.westboroughconnects.org/programs.
