Media Fellowship House announces MLK Day 2018
MEDIA » Media Fellowship House holds its 29th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration on Jan. 14. In addition to the traditional music and a keynote address by a distinguished guest, a fresh initiative will be launched which takes the work of Dr. King to a new level of inspiration throughout the year.
The MFH has worked towards its motto “Building a community free of injustice” since founded in 1944. In this second decade of the 21st century, nearly 50 years after King’s death, the scope of injustices have taken on even broader scope. They include, but are not exclusive to, issues of race, economics, religion and gender.
“The qualities Dr. King possessed, and the deeds he performed, are not specific to race, and may be exhibited by individuals of any ancestry, gender, age or beliefs,” said MFH Board Chair Robin Otto.
MFH is creating a Hall of Fame of men and women with similar qualities such as loyalty, leadership, integrity, honesty, determination and courage. This collection of individuals will honor Dr. King as well as serve as role models for all who find value in their lives, accomplishments and commitment to advocacy for justice.
The MLK Spirit Hall of Fame will be inaugurated with the selection of 10 inductees. The MFH board has chosen Dorothy James as the first. Mrs. James was instrumental in establishing Media Fellowship House with Marie Whitaker after they met, talked about the shared incident of discrimination, and determined to build a more just community. Mrs. James’s family history inspired her own courage and deeds in defense of human rights from the 1930s well into the 1950s which have become the foundation of MFH’s existence.
While MFH will offer a number of nominees to be included in the Hall of Fame, the public will be invited to vote for nine additional persons to be in the inaugural class. The next opportunity for participation will be public submission of potential inductees.
The examples provide a range of people from various areas of the country, generations and occupations who we feel reflect the values of Dr. King. Our hope is that the community may find others to add. The voting will be online until December 22, and the inductees will be revealed, and their portraits displayed, during the MLK Celebration, held at First Church of Media
However the Hall of Fame will serve an expanded purpose. With its membership and contacts in varied professional fields, in 2018 MFH will prepare short biographies of Hall of Fame inductees which can be used by youngsters as a “starting point” of investigation about persons advancing social justice. This mini-curriculum will be developed in early 2018 posted and available on the MFH website.
Please join us in launching this exciting new idea for Media Fellowship House to become a force in “building a community free of injustice.”
For more information about the MLK Spirit Hall of Fame and MLK Birthday Celebration, and to VOTE, please visit www.mediafellowshiphouse.org.