MLK Day Celebration at Gantt Center

Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture is hosting Food Lion Presents: MLK Day Celebration on Monday, January 21st, 2019, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s free to attend, but RSVPs are recommended.

The day will include:

Panel discussions
Art-making workshops
Guided tours
Film screenings
More

Schedule

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Film: Our Friend, Martin (Rated G)

In this family friendly film two friends travel through time, meeting Dr. King at several points during his life. This 60-minute animated film is rated G for general audiences. Arrive early for this annual favorite. Seating is limited.

9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Exhibition galleries open

9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Drop-in art-making activity

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Performance by Mary D. Williams

Singer, Educator, and Historian Mary D. Williams brings a wealth of knowledge and deep soul sounds that stir the spirit and enlighten the mind. Join Ms. Williams as she takes us on a musical journey through African-American culture and history. Ms. William weaves stories and songs from field songs and spirituals to hymns and freedoms songs.

11:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
Youth panel led by Gantt Center Equity Ambassadors

11:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
Film: Our Friend, Martin (Rated G)

11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Freedom Fighters Screen Printing

As long as paper has been available to the masses, people have used posters to call others to action and to critique those in power. Work with MacFly Fresh to make your own Freedom Fighter posters inspired by the works of activists Muhammad Ali, Patrice Lumumba and, of course, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as you learn the history of political art and screen printing.

Participants are encouraged to bring in their own blank items for printing (i.e., tee shirts, totes, etc.).

11:15 AM – 11:30 AM
Spoken Word Performance by Jay Ward

Jay Ward is a poet and teaching artist from Charlotte, NC, currently ranked 14th in the world for slam poetry and Charlotte’s 2016 Poet of the Year. As a program director BreatheInk, he facilitates writing and performance workshops and coaches youth poets attending Brave New Voices each year. Ward has released two full-length compact discs of poetry, published the book Life Power Soul in 2009, spoken at numerous colleges and universities and is certified writing workshop facilitator. He has appeared on Fox News and has opened for Angie Stone and Georgia Me.

11:30 PM – 12:00 Noon
Tour: For Freedoms & What We Ask is Simple

12:00 Noon – 1:00 PM
Town Hall – Community Responses – Economic Mobility, Education & Equity

In connection with our For Freedoms exhibition we have invited members of the community to respond to the work being done to address Charlotte’s lack of social and economic mobility. We will explore the question of what equity looks like in our workplaces and our classrooms. Community participants will have the opportunity to share concerns, suggestions, and questions as well as participate in an interactive community art response on the subject of equity. Moderated by Justin Perry, MSW, LCSW, LCAS, founder of Perry Counseling Healing and Recovery PLLC.

Charlotte native Justin Perry, MSW, LCSW, LCAS is the founder of Perry Counseling Healing and Recovery PLLC where he specializes in treating individuals have experienced trauma, and/or are managing mental health and substance use disorders. Perry has provided clinical services at a multitude of mental health and substance use disorder facilities around the greater Charlotte region including Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. The West Charlotte High School alumnus earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology and Sociology as well as his Masters in Social Work, all from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He holds leadership positions in numerous organizations including OneMECK, Bruce Irons Camp Fund, Foundation for the Carolinas and the Black Political Caucus. Perry is happily married and is the father of a five-year-old son and two-year-old daughter.

RSVP for this town hall meeting

12:00 Noon – 1:00 PM
Writing & Performance Workshop with Poet Jay Ward

Negotiating a legacy, reimagining a future. In this workshop, we’ll use interactive discussions and a guided writing exercise to explore the impact of economic equity on our neighborhoods and beyond. As time permits, a performance workshop will teach practical ways to deliver our words with confidence.

RSVP for this workshop

12:30 PM – 1:00 PM
Guided Tour For Freedoms, What We Ask is Simple, Welcome to Brookhill

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Performance by Mary D. Williams

Singer, educator, and historian Mary D. Williams brings a wealth of knowledge and deep soul sounds that stir the spirit and enlighten the mind. Join Ms. Williams as she takes us on a musical journey through African-American culture and history. Ms. William weaves stories and songs from field songs and spirituals to hymns and freedoms songs.

1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Dear Dr. King – Drop-In Hands-on Art-making

Letter writing and art making inspired by Dr. King and his work.

2:00 PM – 2:45 PM
Guided Tour Welcome to Brookhill

3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Sycamore Dance Company performance

Sycamore Dance Company reminds us of the freedoms we have and still fight for through this powerful dance performance.

3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Panel: Economic Equity in North Carolina

Join leaders from the faith, non-profit, and grassroots sectors as we explore the current state of wages, quality of life, and more here in Charlotte.

Ohavia Phillips will moderate the panel. Panelists include Reverend Frederick Robinson of MeckMin, Ashley Hawkins of Raising Wages and Tchernavia Montgomery of Crisis Assistance Ministry.

RSVP for this panel discussion