By Diana Leyva
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Trevecca will be hosting various events, starting on January 15, all leading up to a celebratory chapel service, “A conversation with the Founders of Black History 365”, on Jan 18.
On Saturday, Jan 15, students and volunteers will have the opportunity to serve their community with a church cleaning project at Clairborne Family of Faith Worship Center, from 10 a.m. till 2 p.m.
Students may also create cards for KidPOWER students starting a new semester. Students may pick up supplies being offered outside the Student Development Office or get creative with ideas of their own and drop off the competed cards at a later date.
Students will also be able to assist the Urban Farm with a tree planting. The original date has been postponed due to weather however more details are to come.
Any students with questions regarding the events may contact Kristen Adams at kmadams3@trevecca.edu.
The chapel service will take place at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday in Boone Convocation Center and will feature Joel Freeman and Walter Milton Jr., with Steven Hoskins moderating. It will discuss the importance of African American History as well as education.
Black History 365 is an educational entity who create resources that encourage students and educators to be critical thinkers, compassionate listeners, fact-based, respectful communicators, and action-oriented solutionists.
Following the service there will also be 2 discussion forums with BH365. At 11 a.m. there will be a Q&A at the Jackson Center for Music and Worship Arts, then again at 1:30p.m in Benson Hall Auditorium.
Trevecca has been observing Martin Luther King Jr. Day with awareness events, chapels and service projects since 2010. In 2019 the university declared Martin Luther King Jr. Day a school holiday so students could have the opportunity to participate in not only school related events but citywide events as well.
“Since 2010, the Center for Social Justice has partnered with 7 Nashville Universities each year to host a joint Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service where an average of 600 college students come together as ‘one student body’ for a day of serving alongside our Nashville neighbors,” said Director of Social Justice, Jamie Casler.
However, due to COVID-19 cases citywide and sister universities delaying their starts to the semester, the citywide day of service has been postponed until April 2.
The goals of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day events are celebration, education and community.
“This is not just about African American history alone, but understanding the person next to you,” said Associate Provost for Mission Excellence and Reconciliation, Terrence Schofield.
